J 

’N  .• 

' 

%  ;ft  .4  ; 

r*  W»— ’ 

!: 

■  »•  /  </.,  ’r  V 

i  i  fj  i-  f 

■:k.  ■  ;  ’i-  u_  ■  ■  '  . 

■*U  ■.  ■  .* 

r.:— J»  .* 

-: 

&>:( 

.;r:  ;W  .<  •&  :  .5- :  ; 

■ .  I . .. 

•c  ' 

/  ’tii: 
!\i'  I  I  L;. 

''  ■; 

m 

i 

s  .  k  J  1  i 

^  i* 

./  \ 


'  1 


7. c-rr,  ;£r.s>j jester  v 


I 

I 


■  * 


.  r. i  '•  a.  -  <  X/i 


%:■  ii ‘ V:'i 'X:'\  ' :  ■■  $  %  &  ’  ■  i 

■  ’l,  \  p  t  ,  J  i*  . *  *  £  ■*  ^  ■$  ^  fi 

f.-:  * *vw  « »*r fe  -i ■  t-Mwc!  ***>T4rssf 


LrrnitiritrtiifiiTi^*Hrrih*a!Tr-*miTrTt-",TrHr,nTrT,,Tr,"M^^  *  *""' 


-BXMS3 

.5  03 

"R  Id 


n  H  - 
/ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2019  with  funding  from 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


https://archive.org/details/universalistchurOOrobi 


I 


THE 

UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH 
IN  OHIO 


THE 

UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH 

IN  OHIO 


BY 


w 

V 


Rev.  ELMO  ARNOLD  ROBINSON 


PUBLISHED  BY 

OHIO  UNIVERSALIST  CONVENTION 

1923 


Copyright,  1923,  by 

Ohio  Universalist  Convention 


FOREWORD 


The  purpose,  perhaps  the  unconscious  purpose,  of 
many  of  the  historical  sketches  concerning  contempo¬ 
rary  religious  sects  and  their  leaders  is  to  utilize  se¬ 
lected  facts  and  incidents  in  producing  a  work  designed 
to  propagate  the  teachings  and  increase  the  following 
of  the  given  sect,  and  to  expose  the  errors  and  failures 
of  its  rivals. 

The  purpose  of  this  study  is  to  present  all  the  im¬ 
portant  facts  and  typical  incidents,  whether  they  be 
favorable  or  otherwise,  concerning  the  Universalist 
Church  in  Ohio,  leaving  to  others  their  interpretation 
and  use.  The  author  has  had  three  classes  of  readers 
in  mind:  (i)  the  general  student  of  Ohio  history 
who  is  only  incidentally  interested  in  Universalism, 
(2)  the  rank  and  file  of  Universalists  who  wish  to  be 
informed  concerning  their  spiritual  ancestors,  and  (3) 
those  who  have  to  do  with  the  intelligent  guidance  of 
the  future  policies  of  the  church.  He  has  tried  to 
collect  and  present  the  information  in  a  way  to  inter¬ 
est  all  of  these. 

By  vote  of  the  Convention  in  1917  a  Committee  on 


VI 


FOREWORD 


Historical  Research  was  created,  consisting,  in  addi¬ 
tion  to  the  author,  of  Rev.  Sara  L.  Stoner  and  Rev. 
William  J.  Metz.  Many  valuable  contributions  have 
come  through  these  two  members  of  the  Committee. 

The  Committee  has  arranged  with  the  Ohio  State 
Historical  and  Archeological  Library  and  Museum  at 
Columbus  to  become  the  depository  of  the  Convention, 
and  has  placed  there  several  volumes  of  original 
minutes,  a  file  of  the  Ohio  Universalist,  and  many 
other  books,  pamphlets,  papers,  and  magazines.  An 
endeavor  was  made  to  secure  the  appointment  of  local 
historians  in  each  church  and  association.  While  the 
response  was  not  as  general  as  had  been  hoped  for, 
nevertheless  many  interesting  manuscripts  have  been 
contributed.  To  have  inserted  them  entire  herewith 
would  have  made  too  bulky  a  book.  They  have  been 
placed  with  the  collection  at  Columbus  for  preserva¬ 
tion. 

This  study  has  thus  been  distinctly  a  cooperative 
affair,  and  thanks  are  due  to  many  for  their  interest 
and  help. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  certain  omissions  have 
been  necessary,  especially  the  lack  of  a  chapter  on  the 
literature  produced  by  Ohio  Universalists.  Perhaps 
others  will  take  up  the  task  and  fill  the  gaps  which 
they  may  easily  discover. 

Elmo  A.  Robinson. 

Palo  Alto,  California. 

October,  1922. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  PAGE 

Foreword .  v 

I.  Early  Religious  Life  in  Ohio .  i 

II.  Early  Universalism  in  the  Belpre 

Neighborhood .  n 

III.  Early  Universalism  in  the  Western 

Reserve .  19 

IV.  Early  Universalism  in  Southwestern 

Ohio .  23 

V.  Tours  in  Ohio  by  Universalist  Ministers  28 

VI.  Theology  of  Ohio  Universialsts .  46 

VII.  Universalists  and  Other  Sects .  52 

VIII.  The  Extent  and  Significance  of  Uni¬ 
versalism  about  1840 .  68 

IX.  How  Universalists  Organized .  75 

X.  The  General  Convention  of  the  Western 

States .  87 

XI.  The  Ohio  Universalist  Convention .  93 

XII.  Educational  Interests .  104 

XIII.  The  Attitude  of  Universalists  on  Ques¬ 
tions  of  the  Day .  1 18 

vii 


Vlll 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  PAGE 

XIV.  Subordinate  State  Organizations .  128 

XV.  The  Larger  Denominational  Relation¬ 
ships .  13 1 

XVI.  Brief  Items  of  Local  Church  History...  138 

XVII.  Biographical  Notes  of  Ohio  Ministers..  164 
XVIII.  The  Old  Universalism  and  the  New.  ...  225 

Appendix  I.  Statistics  of  the  Convention .  230 

Appendix  II.  Statistics  of  Subordinate  State 

Bodies .  237 

Appendix  III.  Statistics  of  Associations .  241 

Appendix  IV.  A  Partial  List  of  the  Debates 

Held  in  Ohio .  257 

Bibliography .  259 

Chart  I.  Map  of  the  churches  in  existence  before 

1830 .  269 

Chart  II.  Map  of  the  churches  in  existence  between 

1830  and  i860 .  271 

Chart  III.  Map  of  the  churches  in  existence  between 

i860  and  1890 .  273 

Chart  IV.  Map  of  the  churches  in  existence  between 

1890  and  1920 .  275 


THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


CHAPTER  I 

EARLY  RELIGIOUS  LIFE  IN!  OHIO 

The  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War  marked  the 
beginning  of  a  new  wave  of  emigration  by  the  people 
of  the  Atlantic  Coast.  In  New  England  this  wave 
rolled  northward  into  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  and 
Vermont,  but  a  movement  of  greater  magnitude  was 
westward  into  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  and  Ohio. 
In  the  vanguard  were  the  hunters  and  trappers,  inde¬ 
pendent  and  rough  in  thought,  appearance,  and  action, 
and  jealous  of  the  restraints  of  community  life.  They 
erected  isolated  primitive  cabins  which  served  as 
temporary  homes  until  the  restlessness  within  urged 
them  to  press  on  to  further  adventure.  Behind  them 
came  a  class  of  men  who  combined  the  qualities  of 
hunter  and  farmer.  These  cleared  and  cultivated  the 
soil  by  rude  methods,  but,  easily  becoming  discon¬ 
tented,  were  continually  seeking  new  and  better  loca¬ 
tions.  Finally  followed  those  who  came  seeking  a 
permanent  home  in  the  new  country.  Substantial 


2  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


barns  and  houses  appeared  and  gradually  little  vil¬ 
lages  took  form,  as  other  occupations  than  farming 
began  to  present  themselves.1 

The  first  permanent  settlement  in  Ohio  by  New 
Englanders  was  at  Marietta  in  1786.  It  was  but  the 
beginning  of  a  rapid  influx  of  people  from  the  eastern 
states.  By  1800  there  was  a  considerable  group  of 
settlements  in  the  northeastern  corner  of  Ohio,  and 
others  were  scattered  at  various  points  along  the  Ohio 
River.  Two  years  later  the  population  was  estimated 
at  not  less  than  60,000  and  the  necessary  steps  were 
soon  taken  to  admit  Ohio  to  statehood.  This  growth 
was  temporarily  checked  by  the  war  of  1812,  but  con¬ 
tinued  with  renewed  vigor  at  its  cessation.  By  1840 
the  frontier  line  had  advanced  beyond  the  borders  of 
the  state,  all  the  vacant  land  had  been  occupied,  and 
the  population  had  become  comparatively  dense.2 

The  settlement  of  Ohio  in  the  first  half  of  the  nine¬ 
teenth  century  went  forward  obviously  at  a  very  rapid 
rate.  It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  all  kinds 
and  conditions  of  men  sought  their  fortunes  in  the 
new  country  and  that  the  individualistic  temperament 
of  the  frontier  plus  the  immediate  needs  for  food, 
clothing,  and  shelter  permitted  in  certain  sections  a 
reign  of  outlawry  and  rowdyism  which  gave  the  Ohio 
Valley  a  rather  undesirable  reputation.  Thieving, 
duels,  gang-fights,  and  intoxication  were  common.3 

It  is  in  the  light  of  such  unsettled  and  rapidly  chang¬ 
ing  conditions  that  we  must  view  the  early  religious 


EARLY  RELIGIOUS  LIFE  IN  OHIO 


3 


situation.  The  fact  that  Ohio’s  population  was  so 
diversified  in  sources,  previous  experiences,  and  ideals 
made  sectarianism  inevitable.  The  frontier  spirit 
fostered  individualism  in  religion.  The  New  Eng¬ 
landers  were  usually  of  the  established  church,  that 
is,  Congregationalists.  But  Methodists,  Presbyterians, 
Baptists,  Moravians,  Germans  of  various  faiths,  and 
other  sects  were  represented  among  the  immigrants 
and  brought  their  religious  views  with  them.4 

In  addition  there  was  a  large  percentage  of  the  pop¬ 
ulation,  difficult  to  estimate  exactly,  who  were  not 
affiliated  with  any  sect.  In  some  cases  they  were  men 
of  evil  character.  Others  were  thinkers  of  an  ad¬ 
vanced  type,  rebelling  at  the  narrowness  of  conven¬ 
tional  religion,  and  perhaps  attracted  by  the  philosophy 
of  the  so-called  atheism  of  the  day.  Still  others  had 
simply  broken  with  the  old  associations  back  east  and 
were  carelessly  indifferent  to  the  claims  of  the  church. 

At  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War  .  .  .  the  wild 
gales  of  French  skepticism  sweeping  with  irresistible 
fury  across  the  sea  surged  over  the  heights  of  the  Alle¬ 
ghenies  and  engulfed  the  pioneers  of  the  Northwest 
Territory  and  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia.  ...  To  add 
to  the  general  unbelief,  as  fuel  to  fire  already  too  great, 
Thomas  Paine’s  “Age  of  Reason”  was  published.  .  .  . 
The  result  was  that  ...  a  great  proportion  of  the  people 
of  Kentucky  and  Ohio  .  .  .  became  pronounced  Infidels. 
Thomas  Moffit,  in  a  conversation  with  Dr.  James  Gal- 
laher,  author  of  the  ‘‘Western  Sketch  Book,”  says:  “It 
was  believed  that  at  the  commencement  of  the  year  1800 
at  least  one-half  of  the  men  and  women  were  avowed 


4  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


disciples  of  Thomas  Paine.”  When  this  was  told  to 
Abraham  McElroy,  the  venerable  old  man  replied:  “Say 
not  one-half;  say  nine-tenths,  for  thus  it  was  in  the 
region  of  Lebanon,  Kentucky,  where  I  resided,  and  I 
myself  was  among  the  number.”  5 

The  members  of  these  various  sects  were  not  by 
any  means  confined  to  the  laity.  All  had  their  clergy 
in  the  persons  of  the  circuit  riders  who  journeyed 
rapidly  from  place  to  place,  ever  on  the  watch  for 
opportunities  to  spread  the  teachings  of  their  denomi¬ 
nations  and  to  expose  the  weakness  and  falseness  of 
their  opponents. 

These  early  preachers  were  often  “unlettered  and 
unlearned,”  with  no  library  but  the  Bible  and  little 
property  except  what  they  carried  with  them  on  horse¬ 
back.  Roads  were  poor  or  lacking  altogether.  The 
circuit  riders  preached  in  cabins,  school-buildings, 
barns,  bar-rooms,  and  in  the  open.  Their  pay  was 
often  received  in  the  form  of  food  or  clothing.6  Many 
of  these  men  were  hard-working,  conscientious  heroes 
of  the  faith,  but  among  all  denominations  there  were 
probably  those  of  a  questionable  character  who  were 
attracted  by  the  freedom  of  the  frontier.  A  Baptist 
writer  is  quoted  as  stating  that: 

Of  the  981  preachers  estimated  to  belong  to  the  Bap¬ 
tist  order  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  at  least  one- 
third  are  disqualified  for  the  work.  .  .  .  Some  are  de¬ 
cidedly  immoral.  .  .  .  Some  were  notorious  drunkards. 
.  .  .  Many  others,  though  not  grossly  scandalous,  are 
far  from  exhibiting  the  purity  and  consistency  of  the 


EARLY  RELIGIOUS  LIFE  IN  OHIO 


5 


ministerial  character.  A  bigoted,  censorious,  unchari¬ 
table  spirit,  is  frequently  indulged.7 

The  prevailing  relationship  between  the  sects  was 
by  no  means  a  cordial  one. 

Representatives  of  every  old  creed  and  propagandists 
of  every  new  ism  went  about  in  the  new  country  pro¬ 
claiming  what  they  held  to  be  true,  and  denouncing  what 
they  held  to  be  false,  with  a  freedom  of  speech  adapted 
to  the  unfenced  fields  and  waving  forests  of  the  West. 
Jews,  Catholics,  Protestants,  and  agnostics  alike  sought 
freedom  to  worship  or  not  to  worship  in  the  new  coun¬ 
try,  and  took  passage  on  the  river  craft  at  Pittsburg 
for  Kentucky,  or  Ohio,  or  Indiana,  or  Illinois.  Such 
churches  as  did  not  choose  to  take  the  field  as  aggres¬ 
sively  ‘‘militant”  were  obliged  at  least  to  stand  warlike 
in  their  own  defense.  .  .  .  Charges  of  “infidelity”  were 
rife  and  heresy  was  spotted  everywhere.8 

A  religious  movement  of  great  significance  was  the 
Kentucky  revival  of  1800.  Beginning  at  a  point  in 
Logan  county,  Kentucky,  sometimes  known  as  Rogues’ 
Harbor  from  the  character  of  the  inhabitants,  it  spread 
rapidly  to  southern  Ohio.  Immense  crowds  of  people 
drove  long  distances  to  the  places  of  meeting,  where 
they  camped  several  days  to  experience  the  emotional 
fervor  of  the  “camp  meeting,”  as  it  came  to  be  called. 
Singing,  praying,  rude  preaching,  exhortation,  visions, 
prophecy,  enthusiasm,  revival  of  other  of  the  less  ex¬ 
cellent  manifestations  of  early  Christianity,  and  even 
a  lack  of  physical  control  which  became  lawless  and 
immoral,  characterized  these  gatherings. 


6  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Among  the  members  of  any  given  sect  there  would 
very  likely  be  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  purpose 
and  value  of  the  camp-meeting.  Some  would  stress 
the  importance  of  inner  feeling  and  conviction,  while 
others  would  demand  higher  moral  standards  and  seek 
to  minimize  the  excesses  of  emotionalism.  Such  a 
difference  of  opinion  was  to  be  found,  for  example, 
among  the  Methodists  in  the  vicinity  of  Steubenville. 
The  extreme  enthusiasts  complained  of  the  “prevailing 
coldness”  of  their  calmer  and  more  educated  brethren. 
This  led  them  to  look  down  on  education  itself  and 
to  assert  that  “grammar  and  dictionary  words”  were 
understood  only  by  a  favored  few,  and  that  their 
use  indicated  a  proud  and  haughty  spirit.  They  in¬ 
sisted  upon  the  right  to  preach  religion  as  they  under¬ 
stood  it.  To  their  aid  there  came  a  little  group  of 
unpolished  and  uneducated  preachers  of  a  new  sect, 
the  Newlights.  Relatively  weak  on  doctrine,  they 
made  up  for  this  deficiency  by  a  ranting,  roaring, 
shouting  style.  They,  too,  insisted  upon  the  right  of 
every  man  to  preach,  but  managed  to  do  most  of  this 
work  themselves.  Their  meetings  were  largely  at¬ 
tended  and  in  them  some  of  the  Methodists  found  that 
“real,  heartfelt  religion”  which  they  desired,  and  there¬ 
upon  denounced  their  former  friends  as  “dead  in  the 
love  of  the  world.”  Out  of  this  whirl  of  controversy 
came  schisms  and  the  organization  of  Newlight 
societies.9 

This  situation  is  but  an  illustration  of  what  was 


EARLY  RELIGIOUS  LIFE  IN  OHIO 


7 


taking  place  generally  over  a  considerable  section  of 
the  Valley  and  among  all  the  sects,  especially  among 
the  Presbyterians.  By  1804  the  Newlights  had  seven 
organizations  in  southern  Ohio.  Their  opposition  to 
creeds,  their  attack  on  outgrown  doctrines,  and  their 
democratic  form  of  government  brought  them  rapid 
growth.  Another  Presbyterian  schism  gave  rise  to 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterians.  Other  denominations 
that  soon  appeared  were  the  Methodist  Protestants, 
the  Campbellites,  and  to  a  less  extent  the  Unitarians.10 

The  tendency  to  denominational  competition  was 
increased  with  the  increasing  number  of  sects,  and  the 
clergy  were  stimulated  to  vigorous  activity.  Venable 
aptly  describes  the  situation: 

The  new  sects  of  which  I  have  spoken,  and  the  newly- 
inspired  older  sects,  wrought  zealously  to  infuse  their 
doctrines  everywhere.  Their  active  energy  might  be 
likened  to  that  force  of  chemical  elements  which  scien¬ 
tists  observe  in  substances  just  set  free  from  combina¬ 
tion,  and  existing  in  what  is  called  the  nascent  or 
new-born  stage.11 

Howells,  writing  now  in  reference  to  Harrison 
county,  states  that  the  settlers’  “religious  persuasion 
was  the  Presbyterian — that  is,  it  was  their  ancestral 
faith,  though  the  Methodists  had  recruited  their  mem¬ 
bership  almost  wholly  from  this  element  of  the  popu¬ 
lation.  There  were  three  or  four  sects  of  Presby¬ 
terians.  .  .  .  -The  religious  feeling  pervaded  the  whole 
community  intellectually,  and  all  accepted  the  general 


8  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


orthodox  standard  of  faith.  Those  who  were  regarded 
as  religions  had  joined  themselves  to  some  of  the  com¬ 
munions.  The  rest  were  material  for  missionary 
efforts  of  the  several  sects.  The  public  mind  was 
more  largely  employed  with  religious  subjects  than  in 
later  years,  and  it  was  the  subject  and  object  of  nearly 
all  public  meetings  to  consider  religion  in  some  of  its 
relations.  Politics  occupied  the  people  much  less,  and 
they  talked  less  about  it  than  in  after  time.  .  .  The 
discussions  were  nearly  all  religious,  and  there  were 
sometimes  fierce  controversies  that  did  anything  but 
promote  charity.,,  12 

Neither  did  it  always  promote  prosperity.  The 
Methodist  circuits  at  Moorefield  and  Freeport  had 
only  two  preachers  for  thirty  preaching  stations. 
Each  of  these  men  received  only  $300  a  year.  This 
situation  was  regarded  as  “poor  pay”  by  the  preachers 
and  as  “poor  preach”  by  many  of  the  people.  The 
Presbyterians  could  not  support  a  minister  in  this 
neighborhood.  Only  the  Quakers  held  regular  wor¬ 
ship.13 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  state  the  conflict  was 
between  the  Congregationalists  on  the  one  hand  and 
the  various  bodies  of  dissenters  on  the  other. 

The  introduction  of  Methodism  on  the  Western  Re¬ 
serve  was  no  easy  task.  The  inhabitants  were  mostly 
from  New  England,  and  were  slow  to  yield  their  Cal- 
vinistic  prejudices  in  favor  of  Arminianism.  .  .  .  The 
Congregationalists  having  been  the  “standing  order”  in 


EARLY  RELIGIOUS  LIFE  IN  OHIO 


9 


New  England,  they  felt  their  dignity  in  their  new  homes; 
and  the  Methodists  were  treated  as  intruders,  and  with 
much  contempt.  The  first  schoolhouses  were  built  .  .  . 
by  subscriptions  .  .  .  with  the  promise  that  the  houses 
should  not  only  be  used  for  schools,  but  be  free  to  all 
denominations  to  worship  God  in.  As  soon,  however, 
as  the  houses  were  finished,  “the  standing  order”  took 
possession  of  them  to  the  exclusion  of  others,  and  espe¬ 
cially  of  the  Methodists.14 

The  situation  as  a  whole  may  perhaps  best  be 
summed  up  in  the  words  of  Venable: 

The  action  and  reaction  of  colliding  elements  in 
the  Ohio  Valley  struck  out  much  intellectual  light  and 
heat.  Civilized  races  met  with  savage,  Christianity  met 
Judaism,  Protestant  challenged  Catholic.  Calvinist  en¬ 
countered  anti-Calvinist,  Unitarian  opposed  Trinitarian, 
old  denominations  split  by  contention  projected  new  sects 
into  being,  and  each  new  sect  criticised  all  the  others. 
...  I  doubt  if  the  world  has  witnessed  a  more  extra¬ 
ordinary  series  of  religious  events  than  transpired  in  the 
Ohio  Valley  in  the  first  half  of  the  nineteenth  century. 
Notwithstanding  the  dissensions  within  old  denomina¬ 
tions,  and  unprecedented  splits  and  conflicts  among  new 
sects,  and  the  utter  repudiation  of  religion  by  some,  the 
churches  grew  and  flourished.  The  freedom  to  worship 
God,  which  the  Pilgrims  “sought  afar,”  was  found  in 
the  “New  England  of  the  West”  as  Ohio  was  called. 
Religious  liberty  ran  riot,  and  was  not  distinguished, 
in  some  cases,  from  license.  .  .  .  The  clash  of  creeds 
gave  origin  to  much  discourse,  oral  and  printed.  Ser¬ 
mons  and  religious  debates  were  heard  by  multitudes  of 
listeners,  and  read  by  other  multitudes.  Every  leading 
sect  had  its  “organ”  or  periodical.  ...  In  a  word,  re¬ 
ligious  worship,  Scripture  reading,  hymn  singing,  sermon 


10  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


hearing,  and  the  perusal  of  controversial  periodicals  and 
tracts,  attendance  at  camp-meetings,  “revivals,”  theo¬ 
logical  discussions,  and  the  universal  custom  of  thinking 
and  talking  on  religious  subjects,  had  an  immense  in¬ 
fluence  in  shaping  the  literature  of  the  Ohio  Valley  “in 
the  beginning/’ 15 


CHAPTER  II 


EARLY  UNI  VERS  ALISM  IN  THE  BELPRE 
NEIGHBORHOOD 


Among  the  varieties  of  religious  experiences,  creeds, 
and  organizations  which  flourished  among  the  settlers 
of  the  Ohio  Valley  it  is  not  surprising  to  find  that 
called  Universalist.  By  1800  the  word  was  a  familiar 
one  along  the  Atlantic  Coast,  and  especially  so  from 
Maine  to  Philadelphia.  In  1803,  at  Winchester,  New 
Hampshire,  the  Universalist  General  Convention 
adopted  its  Profession  of  Faith,  thereby  giving  evi¬ 
dence  of  its  existence  as  a  distinct  sect.  Although  no 
evidence  has  come  to  the  author’s  attention  which 
would  indicate  any  migration  of  Universalists  by 
groups  or  churches,  there  were  nevertheless  many  indi¬ 
viduals  of  that  faith  who  helped  swell  the  westward 
moving  tide.* 

*  Some  early  Universalist  pioneers  were  Gen.  James  Mitchell 
Varnum,  a  friend  of  the  Rev.  John  Murray,  who  came  from 
Greenwich,  R.  I.,  and  who  became  Judge  of  Ohio  Territory; 
Capt.  Wm,  Sargent  of  Gloucester,  Mass.,  secretary  of  the  Ohio 
Company  and  Adjutant  to  the  first  governor;  Col.  Joseph 
Barker;  and  Aaron  Waldo  Putnam.  See  an  essay  by  J.  A. 
Stoner  in  Before  and  After  Winchester.  This  essay  also  gives 
a  list  of  pioneers  near  Miami  who  have  Universalist  descend- 


11 


12  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


The  Rev.  Abel  Morgan  Sargent  appears  to  have  been 
the  first  Universalist  preacher  to  come  into  the  Belpre 
neighborhood,  and  indeed  into  the  state.  Originally 
he  was  a  preacher  of  the  Baptist  Church,  but  later 
became  a  Universalist.  His  theology  seems  to  have 
been  an  original  and  unusual  combination  of  doctrines, 
and  the  various  descriptions  of  his  views  are  so  con¬ 
fusing  that  it  is  difficult  to  reconstruct  his  system. 
He  classed  himself  as  a  Universalist  as  early  as  1793 
and  published  in  that  year,  first  at  New  York  and 
then  at  Baltimore,  “The  Free  Universal  Magazine, 
being  a  display  of  the  mind  of  Jesus  as  manifested 
to  his  servants,  the  members  of  the  New  and  Free 
Church.”  10  This  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  period¬ 
ical  published  in  the  United  States  to  advocate  Uni- 
versalism,  and  also  the  first  to  advocate  Unitarian 
views.  The  churches  which  he  organized,  however, 
were  known  as  Free  or  Halycon  churches  rather  than 
as  Universalist,  and  for  at  least  a  part  of  his  career 
he  seems  to  have  taught  the  annihilation  of  the  wicked 
rather  than  universal  salvation. 

Sargent  came  into  Ohio  about  1800 — the  exact  date 
is  uncertain — and  for  several  years  had  considerable 
success  as  a  preacher  and  organizer.  A  Methodist 
writer  lists  him  among  the  evils  with  which  Methodism 
had  to  contend,  and  speaks  of  “his  twelve  disciples, 

ents,  and  an  early  list  of  subscribers  to  “The  Gleaner.”  The 
present  writer  has  not  attempted  to  investigate  this  phase  of  the 
subject. 


EARLY  UNIVERSALISM  IN  BELPRE 


13 


all  women.  It  was  spread  over  the  country  that  he 
was  inspired  and  conversed  with  angels  daily,  from 
whom  he  received  revelations.’’  17  The  same  author, 
writing  with  reference  to  about  the  year  1812,  again 
mentions  him: 

About  this  time  there  flourished  in  this  section  of 
the  country  a  halcyon  preacher  by  the  name  of  Abel 
Sargent.  He  formerly  resided  near  Morgantown,  Vir¬ 
ginia,  and  was  a  Universalist  preacher;  but  receiving 
a  new  revelation,  in  which  he  said  he  held  converse  with 
angels,  and  he  was  made  the  medium  of  communication 
to  the  world.  His  doctrines  did  not  differ  very  materially 
from  the  Universalist  creed,  except  that  he  taught  the 
annihilation  of  the  wicked.  The  regenerated  soul,  he 
taught,  was  a  part  of  God;  and  when  the  body  died 
there  was  a  resorption  of  the  soul  into  God.  He  did 
not  believe  in  any  devil,  in  a  place  of  future  torment, 
nor  in  a  judgment.  He  went  about  the  country  with 
his  twelve  apostles,  mostly  women,  preaching  and  pre¬ 
tending  to  raise  the  dead.  .  .  .  This,  like  all  other 
species  of  fanaticism  and  superstition,  had  its  day  and 
produced  some  excitement  on  the  circuit,  but  nothing 
that  resulted  very  disastrously  to  the  cause  of  religion.18 

The  Congregationalists  of  Marietta  were  also  some¬ 
what  disturbed  by  Sargent’s  peculiar  ideas. 

About  the  time  Mr.  Robbins  was  ordained  (1806), 
one  Abel  M.  Sargent,  who  had  been  a  Free  Will  Baptist 
preacher,  appeared  at  Marietta  as  the  apostle  of  a  new 
sect  called  the  ‘’Halcyon  Church.”  He  claimed  that  he 
was  inspired  and  that  he  had  a  commission  from  heaven 
to  preach  the  new  doctrine.  He  held  that  “baptism  was 


14  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


regeneration  and  that  a  man,  by  living  in  strict  conform¬ 
ity  to  the  gospel,  without  a  sin,  might  become  so  holy 
as  to  work  miracles,  heal  the  sick  and  live  without  eat- 

•  yy 

mg. 

He  had  preachers  among  both  sexes  and  the  sect  made 
some  progress  among  a  certain  class  of  people.  Rev. 
Peter  Cartwright  in  his  autobiography  speaks  of  an  en¬ 
counter  with  Sargent,  and  Rev.  Thomas  Robbins  speaks 
of  him  as  a  “sectarian  imposter,  artful  and  devoid  of 
seriousness.  I  think  he  means  to  hold  his  system  con¬ 
formable  to  circumstances.”  Dr.  Hildreth  says,  “Rev. 
S.  P.  Robbins  took  but  little  notice  of  Sargent  or  his 
tenets,  though  challenged  to  a  public  discussion  by  their 
leader,  knowing  that  so  unscriptural  and  absurd  a  doc¬ 
trine  must  soon  come  to  an  end.”  A  year  or  two  later 
one  of  the  sect  living  a  few  miles  above  Marietta  and 
a  son  of  one  of  their  leading  female  preachers  put  his 
belief  to  a  test.  He  lived  nine  days  without  eating  and 
then  died.  His  friends  said  he  would  rise  the  third  day, 
but  their  prophecy  failed  and  they  were  compelled  to 
bury  the  decaying  body.  This  sect  lived  but  a  few 
years.19 


Another  incident  in  his  career  is  given  in  the  fol¬ 
lowing  : 

Abel  Sargent,  the  founder  of  the  Halcyon  sect,  visited 
Marietta  first  between  1801  and  1805.  His  doctrines 
were  very  similar  to  the  faith  of  the  modern  Second  Ad¬ 
ventists,  but  great  latitude  on  minor  points  was  allowed. 
The  doctrines  commended  themselves  to  many  commend¬ 
able  people.  Dr.  McIntosh  was  perhaps  the  best  known 
adherent.  After  the  sect  had  declined  as  an  organiza¬ 
tion  he  remained  steadfast  to  the  faith,  and  wrote  a  book. 
.  .  .  Sargent  sought  discussions  with  the  clergy  in  dif- 


EARLY  UNIVERSALISM  IN  BELPRE 


15 


ferent  parts  of  the  country  and  much  personal  contro¬ 
versy  followed. 

Peter  Cartwright  held  a  discussion  with  him  in  1806 
which  led  to  an  exposure.  Sargent  announced  his  pur¬ 
pose  to  light  a  fire  with  light  from  heaven.  A  crowd 
was  collected  around  a  stump  on  which  was  placed  some 
tinder.  Bystanders  were  surprised  and  adherents  de¬ 
lighted  to  see  the  prophecy  fulfilled.  Sargent  praised 
God  for  sending  fire  from  heaven,  but  the  Methodist 
veteran  reminded  the  witnesses  that  the  smell  of  powder 
and  brimstone  indicated  that  the  author  of  the  fire  lived 
in  the  lower  regions. 

The  Halcyons  declined  after  1807  in  point  of  numbers, 
a  few,  however,  remained  faithful  ...  20 

Rev.  Alpheus  Sweet,  writing  from  Hartford,  Ohio, 
on  March  4,  1833,  thus  describes  the  man  and  his 
work  from  the  Universalist  point  of  view: 

I  have  the  honor  of  a  personal  acquaintance  with  Br. 
Sargent.  He  called  on  me  at  Marietta  and  Belpre,  Ohio, 
about  four  years  since.  He  is  now  about  67  years  old. 
When  I  saw  him  his  health  was  good,  his  voice  was 
clear  and  strong,  and  he  is  considered  a  good  speaker. 
He  was  (as  he  informed  me)  performing  his  last  gen¬ 
eral  visit  to  the  brethren,  where  he  had  preached,  west 
of  the  Allegheny  mountains;  and  he  said  that  he  should 
(when  he  had  performed  this  general  tour)  then  retire 
to  some  place  in  the  state  of  Indiana,  where  he  should 
endeavor  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  quietness 
and  peace.  .  .  . 

I  am  acquainted  with  some  old  people  who  heard  Br. 
Sargent  preach,  nearly  forty  years  ago,  in  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania.  It  has  been  as  much  as  thirty-five  years 
since  he  first  preached  at  Marietta,  Belpre,  and  other 
places  west  of  the  mountain. 


16  THE  UNI  VERS  ALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


He  gathered  a  large  church  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Marietta — they  had  many  preachers.  .  .  .  Br.  Sargent, 
in  his  first  publications,  discarded  the  doctrine  of  the 
trinity,  and  maintained  the  Divine  unity.  And  in  this 
he  was  before  Ballou — if  not  before  any  man  in  the 
United  States.  With  the  trinity,  he  rejected  vicarious 
atonement ,  or  the  vicarious  suffering  of  Christ,  and 
contended  that  at-one-ment  meant  to  reconcile  or  make 
one,  by  making  peace — but  that  the  change  was  wholly 
in  man,  that  God  never  had  changed,  and  that  none  could 
change  Him.  And  I  think  Br.  Sargent,  and  the  Free 
Church  generally,  denied  the  natural  immortality  of 
the  soul,  and  predicated  future  life  and  immortality  on 
a  resurrection  from  the  state  of  death.  That  they  do  at 
the  present  time,  I  am  certain ;  and  believe  that  they  did 
from  the  beginning.  Br.  Sargent  has  been  writing  and 
publishing  on  the  subject  of  religion,  nearly  forty  years. 
The  last  publication  that  I  know  of  his  publishing,  was 
entitled  “The  Lamp  of  Liberty”;  it  was  discontinued 
about  four  years  ago.  “The  Lamp  of  Liberty”  was  pub¬ 
lished  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

The  “Free  Church”  was  formerly  popular  in  many 
parts  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  in  western  Virginia — 
but  for  same  cause,  probably  neglect  of  its  members, 
it  fell  into  disrepute.  The  name  “Free  Church”  is  now 
nearly,  if  not  quite,  lost  in  that  of  Universalist.  A  num¬ 
ber  of  preachers,*  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  that  are  now 
called  Universalists,  belonged  to  that  church.  Should 
you  succeed  in  your  inquiry,  and  bring  this  subject 
before  the  public  in  its  true  light,  you  will  do  an  act 
of  justice  to  one  who  has  been  a  faithful  laborer  in  the 
Lord’s  vineyard — one  who  has  seen  a  hot  day — a  man 
who  has  travelled  and  preached  more  than  any  man 
among  the  Universalists,  and  suffered  more  from  the 
opposers  of  truth,  than  generally  falls  to  the  lot  of  the 

*  Among  them  were  Revs.  A.  Rains  and  M.  Croy. 


EARLY  UNIVERSALISM  IN  BELPRE 


17 


reformers,  in  a  land  of  religious  freedom  and  toleration. 
And  what  makes  the  case  of  Br.  Sargent  still  more  in¬ 
sufferable  is  the  neglect  of  those  who  should  have  been 
his  chief  friends  and  ready  supporters.  .  .  . 

The  Halcyon  doctrine  of  annihilation  was  as  much 
opposed  to  the  teaching  of  universal  salvation  as  to  the 
orthodox  belief  in  endless  misery.  But  the  fact  that 
both  Halcvons  and  Universalists  broke  with  Ortho- 

J 

doxy  concerning  the  same  point,  and  the  further  fact 
that  Sargent  classed  himself  as  a  Universalist,  make 
these  events  significant.  The  Halcyon  sect  probably 
disappeared  before  the  first  regular  Universalist  organ¬ 
izations  were  formed  in  this  vicinity.  But  the  work 
of  Sargent  and  his  followers  undoubtedly  contributed 
to  the  success  of  the  later  movement. 

In  1823  the  Universalists  of  Belpre  organized  them¬ 
selves  into  a  Society.  It  is  probable  that  their  friends 
in  Marietta  had  taken  a  similar  step  six  years  earlier. 
In  1824  the  former  group  invited  “Elder  Asa  Stearns 
to  preach  for  the  laity  whenever  he  could  make  it  con¬ 
venient.”  Rev.  Eliphalet  Case  was  persuaded  to  min¬ 
ister  to  them  in  1826,  but  returned  to  New  Hampshire 
in  June,  1827.  With  Belpre  as  a  center  organized 
Universalism  rapidly  spread  to  adjoining  communities. 
The  general  situation  is  suggested  in  the  following 
communication  to  an  eastern  magazine,  under  date  of 
1826. 


Religion  is  supported  here  in  the  following  manner: 
The  Ohio  Company  Grant,  including  Washington,  Mor- 


18  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


gan,  Meigs,  Gallia,  and  one  or  two  other  counties,  was 
given  or  granted  on  these  conditions;  that  one  out  of 
a  particular  number  of  districts,  should  be  rented  land, 
for  the  support  of  religion.  Marietta  is  a  rented  dis¬ 
trict;  the  inhabitants  are  obliged  to  pay  a  stated  rent  in 
support  of  religion.  Thus  the  leading  members  of  a  sect 
get  all  the  signers  they  can,  and  draw  money  in  propor¬ 
tion  to  their  number.  The  Universalist  society  has  the 
most  subscribers,  and  of  course  the  most  money.  They 
have  appropriated  it  to  a  library  instead  of  procuring  a 
preacher.21 


CHAPTER  III 


EARLY  UNIVERSALISM  IN  THE  WESTERN 

RESERVE 

The  first  Universalist  known  to  have  settled  in  the 
Western  Reserve  was  Gages  Smith,  who  in  1805 
moved  from  Preston,  Connecticut,  to  Mesopotamia. 
He  was  a  firm  and  consistent  believer  and,  although 
his  opinions  were  not  popular,  he  never  wavered  nor 
hesitated  to  advocate  and  work  for  his  honest  convic¬ 
tions.22  To  Bronson,  Huron  county,  about  1817  came 
Stewart  and  Robert  S.  Southgate,  father  and  son. 
The  elder  had  been  one  of  the  earliest  supporters  of 
Universalism  in  Oxford,  Massachusetts,  and  Barnard, 
Vermont,  and  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Rev.  Hosea 
Ballou  and  others  of  the  “church  fathers.”  The  Has¬ 
kell’s  and  Danforth’s  are  also  mentioned  among  those 
who  brought  their  liberal  faith  with  them  from  New 
England.23  As  these  and  other  families  came  to  the 
Reserve  they  arranged  for  services  at  irregular  inter¬ 
vals  in  Akron,  Ravenna,  Brimfield,  Parkman,  and 
other  towns. 

The  first  Universalist  minister  to  settle  in  this  part 
of  the  state  was  Rev.  Timothy  Bigelow,  who  came 


19 


20  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


from  Winchester,  New  Hampshire,  in  the  fall  of  1814 
and  settled  in  Palmyra.*  On  the  records  of  the  Gen¬ 
eral  Convention  for  that  year  there  is  recorded  the 
following  resolution: 

Voted,  that  the  Convention  approve  of  the  removal 
of  our  well  beloved  brother,  Timothy  Bigelow,  from 
Winchester,  New  Hampshire,  to  the  state  of  Ohio,  and 
authorize  brother  R.  Carrique  to  address  a  special  com¬ 
munication  to  said  brother,  with  suitable  commendations 
for  the  full  satisfaction  of  all  in  those  sections  of  the 
Redeemer’s  harvest,  where  he  is  now,  or  may  be  called 
to  labor.24 

That  this  commendation  was  justified  seems  proved 
by  the  circular  letter  of  the  Northern  Ohio  Association 
of  Universalists,  published  in  1821: 

Brethren,  your  whole  number  seven  years  ago,  who 
believed  in  the  universal  love  of  God,  did  not  exceed 
20;  and  at  this  time,  on  the  same  ground,  your  members 
are  more  than  1500.  Besides  this,  there  is  a  large  body 
of  brethren,  still  further  to  the  west,  with  hearts  lifted 
to  heaven,  who  are  anxiously  looking  for  your  brethren 
in  the  ministry,  that  are  now  with  you;  and  we  expect 
to  be  with  them  in  one  week  from  this  time,  and  to  form 
them  into  an  Association.25 

Bigelow  died  in  1823  and  the  strength  of  Univer- 
salism  decreased  for  a  few  years  until  others  took  up 

*  One  of  Bigelow’s  early  adventures  is  said  to  have  been 
preaching  a  sermon  at  a  public  hanging  in  Ravenna. 


EARLY  UNIVERSALISM  IN  WESTERN  RESERVE  21 


the  work  he  had  so  well  begun.  Through  the  whole 
width  of  the  state  from  the  north  to  the  center  the 
voice  of  Rev.  Truman  Strong  was  alone  heard  for  sev¬ 
eral  years  in  behalf  of  “the  restitution  of  all  things.” 
In  1831  he  reports  for  himself: 

I  have  been  riding  and  preaching  for  the  last  six 
months  in  the  counties  of  Richland,  Huron,  and  Wayne, 
and  once  I  went  into  the  county  of  Lorraine.  My  meet¬ 
ings  are  generally  well  attended,  and  great  attention 
paid.  In  short  there  appears  to  be  nothing  wanting  but 
able  and  faithful  laborers.  .  .  .  We  have  established  a 
library  at  Fredericktown,  by  the  name  of  “The  Univer- 
salian  Library  Society  of  Fredericktown  and  vicinity.” 
Our  success  in  this  has  exceeded  the  expectations  of  the 
most  sanguine,  for  within  four  weeks  we  have  sold  more 
than  thirty  shares,  and  sent  the  money  to  New-York  for 
books.26 

In  spite  of  much  slander  and  neglect  he  persevered 
and  in  1833  was  cheered  by  the  addition  of  several 
other  ministers  to  the  Universalist  ranks.  One  of 
these  was  Rev.  Jonathan  Tracy,  who  wrote  at  this 
time : 


I  have  been  travelling  since  the  first  of  December  last, 
in  the  counties  of  Huron,  Lorain,  Medina,  Portage, 
Richland,  and  Wayne.  I  have  preached  about  sixty-five 
times,  having  spoken  in  the  following  townships  and 
villages:  Norwalk,  Bronson,  Greenfield,  New  London, 
Brighton,  Wellington,  Huntington,  Granger,  Sullivan, 
Harrison,  Westfield,  Guilford,  Medina,  Copley,  Wards- 
worth,  Norton,  Akron,  Milton,  Canaan,  Jackson,  and 


22  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Ashland.  My  appointments  have  usually  been  well  at¬ 
tended;  profound  attention  has  been  given  to  the  word 
spoken,  and  a  spirit  of  inquiry,  touching  the  doctrine 
of  universal  reconciliation,  is  evidently  enlarging  in  this 
region.27 


Gradually  Universalists  increased  in  numbers  and 
organization.  In  1846  the  Akron  pastor  reported  in 
these  words: 

Our  society  and  Sunday  School  are  in  a  prosperous 
condition.  Partialism  is  on  the  wane  in  this  region, 
and  during  the  past  winter  has  been  making  some  of  its 
dying  struggles.  We  have  the  largest  congregation  in 
Akron;  and  with  all  the  efforts  of  Elder  Barnard  and 
Mr.  Kinney  against  us,  we  still  continue  to  enjoy  in¬ 
creasing  prosperity.28 


CHAPTER  IV 


EARLY  UNIVERSALISM  IN  SOUTHWESTERN  OHIO 

A  striking  figure  in  the  early  days  in  Ohio  and 
Indiana  was  Jonathan  Kid  well.  His  parents  moved 
west  to  Kentucky  when  that  country  was  still  a  wilder¬ 
ness.  Amid  the  rude  surroundings  of  the  frontier 
Jonathan  was  born  in  1779,  and  here,  with  little  or 
no  educational  opportunities,  he  developed  to  man¬ 
hood.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  began  the  work  of 
a  Methodist  preacher,  but  seven  years  later  he  sought 
greater  liberty  among  one  of  the  new  Christian  sects. 
In  two  more  years  his  growing  mind  had  discarded 
orthodoxy,  and  for  a  time  even  religion  itself.  But, 
upon  hearing  of  Universalism,  he  carefully  reread  his 
Bible,  and  soon  became  a  Universalist.  This  faith 
he  retained  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

The  location  and  extent  of  his  early  preaching  as 
a  Universalist  is  uncertain,  but  his  work  in  Ohio  prob¬ 
ably  began  in  the  early  20’s.  In  1826  he  moved  to 
Wayne  County,  Indiana,  and  with  this  as  a  center, 
traveled  over  a  circuit  comprising  seven  counties  in 
eastern  Indiana  and  nine  in  western  Ohio,  preaching 
constantly,  often  in  the  face  of  much  opposition  and 


23 


24  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


even  personal  violence.  In  this  section  of  Ohio  to-day 
some  of  the  strongest  Universalist  communities  are  to 
be  found.  “His  was  the  voice  of  one  crying  out  of 
the  wilderness.  He  spoke  as  one  having  authority. 
He  was  clothed  as  simply  as  one  of  the  old  prophets 
— a  red  flannel  round-about  and  jeans  trousers  in 
winter  and  home-made  linen  in  summer.  The  people 
heard  him,  but  only  a  few  heard  him  gladly.”  29 

In  response  to  inquiries  from  the  east,  he  thus  de¬ 
scribed  his  work  in  1829: 

My  circuit  embraces  seven  of  the  eastern  counties  of 
Indiana  and  nine  of  western  Ohio.  It  is  about  three 
years  since  I  commenced  riding  so  extensively;  and,  in 
general,  I  go  around  the  circuit  once  in  a  month.  When 
I  first  formed  this  circuit,  our  number  was  estimated 
at  200;  it  would  be  a  low  estimate  now  to  put  it  at 
2000,  and  it  is  daily  increasing.  There  are  but  few 
neighborhoods  which  have  formed  themselves  in  regular 
order.  There  are,  however,  several  respectable  societies. 
In  the  course  of  the  ensuing  summer,  five  Universalian 
Meeting  Houses  will  go  up  on  my  circuit.  There  are 
now  seven  public  Meeting  Houses  in  which  we  have 
an  equal  right  with  others.  There  are  ten  local  preachers 
on  this  circuit,  and  several  preparing  themselves  for 
the  ministry.  There  is  also  a  Lutheran  minister,  Rev. 
Andrew  Hinckle,  of  Germantown,  Ohio,  who  believes 
and  preaches  the  doctrine.  He  is  a  young  man  of  the 
first  class  of  talents,  a  Sabellian,  and  a  believer  in  future 
limited  punishment.30 

Rev.  Sebastian  Streeter  and  Rev.  Thomas  Whitte- 
more,  eastern  clergymen,  visited  Cincinnati  about 


UNIVERSALISM  IN  SOUTHWESTERN  OHIO  25 


1825  and  preached  there,  probably  in  the  old  court¬ 
house.  A  society  of  “Universalians”  existed  there  at 
that  time.  Rev.  J.  C.  Waldo  came  as  their  first  pastor 
in  1828.  Cincinnati  soon  became  the  headquarters  for 
traveling  clergymen  and  resident  printers,  whose  mis¬ 
sionary  journeys  and  journals  penetrated  the  sur« 
rounding  counties.  KidwelPs  circuit  and  the  Cincin¬ 
nati  circuits  soon  overlapped  and  formed  a  section  of 
considerable  area  in  which  Universalist  influence  was 
strong. 

About  1835  Rev.  George  Rogers,  after  having  made 
a  tour  of  the  state  during  the  preceding  summer, 
returned  with  his  family  to  Cincinnati  to  become  the 
pastor  of  the  church  in  that  city.  He  is  described  as 
“a  little  man  physically,  but  a  great  man  intellectually 
and  morally;  his  voice  was  feeble,  but  his  words  were 
weighty.  He  broke  down  a  good  constitution  by  hard 
labor,  and  died  in  the  prime  of  life/’ 31 

At  this  time  his  worldly  possessions  consisted  of  a 
horse,  a  carriage,  and  one  hundred  dollars.  He  wrote 
of  the  situation  in  Cincinnati : 

Our  place  of  worship,  when  I  commenced  my  pastoral 
duties  in  Cincinnati,  was  the  school-house  ...  at  the 
corner  of  Sixth  and  Vine  Sts.  It  was  usually  well  filled 
at  our  meetings,  but  it  required  no  vast  multitude  to  fill 
it.  It  was  not  long  ere  we  purchased  the  property  then 
owned  by  the  Mechanics’  Institute,  at  the  price  of  six 
thousand  six  hundred  dollars.  ...  It  was  deemed  a 
very  cheap  purchase,  and  it  assuredly  was  an  opportune 
one  for  us,  for  it  put  us  at  once  into  possession  of  2 


26  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


building  which  answered  our  purpose  as  a  place  of  wor¬ 
ship  for  several  years.32 

Mr.  Rogers  continued  only  briefly  as  the  Cincinnati 
pastor  as  his  real  interests  were  in  the  itinerant  work. 
His  travels  took  him  for  a  number  of  years  through 
Ohio  and  neighboring  states,  preaching  and  taking 
subscriptions  for  the  Star  in  the  West.  Concerning 
these  labors  he  has  left  an  interesting  account. 

Another  factor  in  Universalism  in  southwestern 
Ohio  was  Rev.  Daniel  Parker,  a  Restorationist.  Uni- 

versalists  of  those  days  were  usually  of  the  “death  and 

s 

glory”  type,  holding  that  botbusin  and  its  consequences 
were  confined  to  the  present  life.  Those  who  believed 
in  future  punishment  of  a  limited  duration,  as  most 
Universalists  now  do,  were  then  called  Restorationists, 
from  their  assertion  that  only  after  this  period  of 
punishment  would  mankind  be  “restored”  to  holiness 
and  happiness.  In  New  England  a  schism  resulted 
from  this  difference  of  opinion,  but  in  Ohio  matters 
seem  to  have  gone  more  smoothly.  The  Restoration¬ 
ist  Church  of  Cincinnati  was  on  friendly  terms  with 
the  Universalist  Church,  and  Parker  was  a  frequent 
visitor  at  Universalist  gatherings. 

A  more  eccentric  type  was  Rev.  Robert  Smith. 
Rogers  describes  him: 

Here  I  met  Robert  Smith,  a  singular  kind  of  a  man, 
but  of  considerable  ability.  He  deemed  it  wrong  to 
pray  in  public,  baptize,  or  partake  of  the  eucharist. 


UNIVERSALISM  IN  SOUTHWESTERN  OHIO  27 


Some  of  his  views  being  offensive  to  our  people,  he  was 
often  coldly  treated.  This  offended  him,  and  he  subse¬ 
quently  joined  the  Reformers  (Campbellites),  prayed  in 
public,  ate  bread  and  drank  wine  every  Sabbath,  and 
taught  that  immersion  in  water  is  a  condition  of  salva¬ 
tion.32 


These  brief  sketches  of  the  leaders  of  the  denomi¬ 
nation  in  different  sections  of  the  state  illustrate  some 


of  the  types  of  men  and  women  who  made  up  the  rank 
and  file.  Universalists  not  only  differed  from  other 
sects,  but  among  themselves  there  was  diversity  of 
thought  and  method. 


CHAPTER  V 


TOURS  IN  OHIO  BY  UNIVERSALIST  MINISTERS 

As  the  old  Northwest  Territory  began  to  be  opened 
for  settlement  it  drew  to  its  borders  not  only  the  vari¬ 
ous  classes  of  settlers  already  referred  to,  but  the 
casual  visitor  as  well.  Hither  came  representatives 
of  the  clergy,  combining  in  their  journeys  the  oppor¬ 
tunity  to  preach  the  Gospel  with  the  quest  for  health, 
adventure,  or  sight-seeing.  The  accounts  of  their 
travels  were  often  printed  in  the  eastern  periodicals 
and  formed  interesting  reading  for  the  more  con¬ 
servative  or  less  fortunate  friends  who  had  to  remain 
at  home. 

Mention  has  already  been  made  of  one  of  the  ear¬ 
liest  tours  by  Universalists  in  Ohio,  that  by  Revs. 
Whittemore  and  Streeter  to  Cincinnati  in  1825.  As 
a  result  the  former  received  a  call  to  the  pastorate  in 
that  city,  but  declined  it.  They  also  visited  Gallipolis. 
About  two  years  later  Rev.  T.  Fisk  made  a  similar 
trip,  and  recorded  some  of  his  experiences  in  writing. 
He  went  through  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  to  Kentucky 
and  Indiana,  and  thus  describes  a  part  of  the  return: 


28 


TOURS  BY  UNIVERSALIST  MINISTERS  29 


I  arrived  at  Cincinnati  on  Sunday;  and  high  raised 
as  my  expectations  were,  respecting  this  “Western 
Emporium,”  they  were  more  than  realized.  ...  In 
Cincinnati  our  friends  are  numerous  and  highly  respect¬ 
able,  and  are  about  to  erect  a  place  of  public  worship. 
Though  they  have  been  sorely  buffeted  by  the  enemies 
of  God’s  grace;  tho’  they  have  been  in  peril  among 
false  brethren,  yet  there  is  a  moral  courage  among  them 
that  laughs  at  difficulty  and  mocks  at  dangers,  such  as 
believers  in  this  licentious  doctrine  have  to  en¬ 
counter.  .  .  . 

In  Hamilton,  Dayton,  Springfield,  London,  Columbus, 
Franklinton,  Wooster,  &c.  I  preached  to  large  and  at¬ 
tentive  audiences;  in  each  of  which  places  a  goodly 
number  of  subscribers  were  obtained  for  our  “per- 
nicious”  paper. 

Between  London  and  Franklinton  I  attended  a  publick 
debate.  Air.  A.  Rains,  of  Chillicothe,  (a  young  preacher 
of  great  promise  of  usefulness  in  the  holy  cause  we 
have  espoused)  on  the  side  of  truth,  the  Bible,  and  com¬ 
mon  sense,  and  Air.  Shaw,  of  London,  a  Alethodist 
preacher,  in  vindication  of  Satan’s  eternal  kingdom, 
creeds,  and  commandments  of  men.  And  never  in  my 
life  have  I  witnessed  a  more  glorious  triumph  of  the 
doctrine  of  Universal  Benevolence  over  errour  and 
craft,  than  on  this  occasion.  .  .  . 

In  Cleaveland,  where  I  preached  two  discourses  on  the 
Sabbath,  it  is  not  necessary  to  speak,  as  many  of  our 
numerous  friends  in  that  place  are  too  well  known 
abroad  to  render  it  necessary  to  mention  that  they  are 
among  the  most  respectable  in  the  country.33 

Rev.  A.  C.  Thomas  has  recorded  some  of  the  inci¬ 
dents  of  his  visit  to  Alarietta  in  1829 : 


On  the  10th  ult.  being  on  a  visit  to  this  place,  it  was 


30  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


thought  proper  by  the  friends  of  the  truth,  to  appoint 
a  meeting.  Deeming  it  expedient  to  afford  an  oppor¬ 
tunity  to  our  opponents  to  disprove  our  sentiments,  I 
visited  the  Calvinistic  Pastor — invited — pressed — be- 
seeched  him  and  a  fellow-limitarian  clergyman  who  had 
a  few  days  previous  made  a  public  attempt  to  put  down 
Universalism — to  attend  the  meeting — as  an  opportunity 
would  be  given  for  a  reply  to  the  sentiments  advanced. 
They  excused  themselves,  on  the  ground  that  they  had 
appointed  a  meeting  for  that  evening  at  a  village  a  few 
miles  distant.  “You  are  not  engaged  this  afternoon , 
I  presume?”  “No.”  “Then  what  will  prevent  your  at¬ 
tendance  at  one  discourse?”  “I  could  not  stand  up  while 
you  were  praying.”  “Well,  sit  till  prayer  is  concluded.” 
“I  would  not  be  in  the  house  while  you  were  praying.” 
“Well,  sir,  you  can  remain  in  the  yard  till  prayer  is  con¬ 
cluded.”  “I  am  bad  enough  without  going  to  hear  a 
Universalist.” 

With  such  like  argument  did  these  faithful  shepherds 
of  the  flock  evade  approaching  the  dangerous  heresy. 
With  angry  denunciations  and  fearful  threatenings  of 
eternal  perdition — did  one  of  these  meek  and  lowly  dis¬ 
ciples  of  our  Lord  attempt  to  intimidate  him  who  had 
kindly  invited  them  to  a  public  discussion  of  the  im¬ 
portant  subject  of  salvation!  So  far  from  reciprocating 
the  kind  offices  of  friendship,  that  he  refused  to  be 
called  friend  or  brother — being,  as  he  said,  neither 
friend  nor  brother  to  an  infidel!  (Have  we  not  all  one 
Father?)  He  refused  to  give  me  his  hand — imagining 
that  thereby  he  would  be  bidding  me  God  speed ! 

Despite,  howTever,  of  his  anathemas,  three  lectures 
were  delivered  to  very  respectable  congregations — not¬ 
withstanding  the  brief  notice  given,  and  the  fact  that 
the  meetings  were  held  in  the  evening  of  Wednesday 
and  the  afternoon  and  evening  of  the  day  following. 
The  clergymen  are  informed  that  we  shall,  God  willing, 
come  to  see  them  again  ! 


TOURS  BY  UNIVERSALIST  MINISTERS  31 


It  was  expected  that  a  lecture  would  be  delivered  in 
Lancaster  on  Friday  evening — but  no  place  could  be 
obtained.  We  presume  that  an  open  held  or  orchard 
can  be  had — and  we  shall,  if  life  and  health  is  spared 
— see  to  this  matter  ere  long.34 

Two  preachers  from  New  York  state,  Revs.  Isaac 
Whitnall  of  Bar.re  and  Rev.  Calvin  Morton  of  Claren¬ 
don,  together  visited  Ohio  in  1831.  The  former  wrote 
as  follows: 

Agreeably  to  notice  given  in  your  paper  respecting  my 
visit  to  Cuyahoga  county,  Ohio,  I  left  home  in  a  very 
poor  state  of  health,  on  April  25th,  accompanied  by  our 
Br.  Calvin  Morton,  of  Clarendon:  arrived  at  Buffalo  at 
1  a.m.,  26th.  .  .  .  On  the  27th,  we  took  the  mail  stage 
from  Buffalo  to  Fredonia.  Arrived  there  at  8  p.m. ; 
pursued  our  journey  day  and  night  until  we  arrived  at 
Cleaveland,  on  Friday,  29th,  at  1  p.m.  As  we  now  had 
to  leave  the  mail  road,  we  took  a  hack  at  Cleaveland, 
and  arrived  at  Br.  Asher  M.  Coes’,  in  Dover,  Cuyahoga 
county,  at  6  p.m.  same  day.  From  the  time  I  left  home, 
and  during  my  stay  with  the  brethren  in  that  region, 
I  was  very  feeble,  and  some  part  of  the  time  unable  to 
sit  up.  But,  by  the  assistance  of  Br.  E.  C.  Frost,  one 
of  your  patrons  and  correspondents,  I  received  some 
relief.  I  feel  disposed  to  render  gratitude  to  our  divine 
Parent  .  .  .  that  I  was  enabled  ...  to  bear  up  .  .  .  and 
preach  at  all  my  regular  Sabbath  appointments.  .  .  . 

I  found  a  goodly  number  of  warm  hearted  and  affec¬ 
tionate  brethren,  and  some  sisters,  in  the  Abrahamic 
faith,  who  receive  the  word  of  truth  gladly,  most  of 
them  eastern  people.  I  preached  twelve  discourses  in 
the  following  towns:  Olmstead,  Dover,  Ridgeville,  and 
in  the  village  of  Cleaveland.  The  last  named  place  has 


32  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


a  few  of  our  friends,  whom  I  shall  ever  remember  with 
gratitude,  especially  Wileman  White,  one  of  your 
patrons.  All  my  meetings  were  well  attended,  and  the 
one  at  Ridgeville,  Lorain  county,  thronged  within  and 
without  the  house.  Br.  Morton  took  part  of  the  exer¬ 
cises  two  Sabbaths,  and  is  now  engaged  to  preach  in 
that  section,  for  eleven  weeks,  if  his  health  admits.  In 
the  town  of  Olmstead  they  are  about  erecting  a  Union 
meeting-house  of  different  denominations — the  Univer- 
salists  will  own  nearly  one-half.  A  Mr.  Olmstead,  of 
Hartford,  Ct.,  has  contributed  one  hundred  dollars.  .  .  . 
I  mention  among  our  friends,  the  Stearns,  (I  believe 
five  or  six  brothers),  Cane,  E.  C.  Frost,  Ross,  Hotch¬ 
kiss,  and  others  .  .  .  also,  in  the  township  of  Dover,  Br. 
Asher  M.  Coe,  and  Br.  Clisby.  ...  I  took  my  leave  of 
the  faithful  brethren  on  the  22nd  inst.,  arrived  at  Cleave- 
land  at  8  a.m.  on  the  23rd;  at  1  p.m.  went  on  board 
the  steam-boat  Henry  Clay,  bound  for  Buffalo,  where 
we  arrived  after  a  short  passage  of  24  hours — my  health 
much  improved.35 

1 

Rev.  M.  L.  Wisner  of  Franklin,  Michigan,  has 
related  his  impressions  in  1833  in  some  detail. 

Having  left  home  on  Monday,  April  28,  I  shaped  my 
course  for  Cleaveland,  Ohio ;  from  there  to  Akron, 
thirty-seven  miles  south  on  the  canal,  where  I  published 
the  glad  tidings  of  a  world's  salvation  from  sin  and 
corruption  to  holiness  and  incorruption,  on  Saturday 
evening  and  Sunday  afternoon,  to  a  respectable  and  at¬ 
tentive  audience.  While  preaching,  the  tear  of  gratitude 
could  be  seen  moistening  the  eye  of  the  believer  in  the 
final  emancipation  of  all  God’s  intelligent  creation.  .  .  . 
From  thence  I  prosecuted  my  journey  to  Columbus, 
where  the  light  of  the  glorious  gospel  has  not  shown  in 
splendor,  but  is  completely  obscured  by  the  almost  im- 


1 


TOURS  BY  UNIVERSALIST  MINISTERS  33 


penetrable  darkness  which  the  doctrine  of  endless  wo, 
with  its  concomitant  evils,  has  brought  upon  the  mental 
horizon  of  that  part  of  the  Redeemer’s  heritage.  Ten 
miles  from  Columbus  I  was  welcomed  to  the  house  of 
Br.  Rogers,  an  aged  veteran  in  the  cause,  whose  head 
is  frosted  o’er  with  age,  where  I  arrived  on  Thursday, 
and  on  the  Sunday  following  preached  at  Br.  Walker’s, 
where  I  became  acquainted  with  Br.  Jolly,  an  able  min¬ 
ister  of  the  spirit  which  giveth  life.  He  has  a  circuit 
formed  for  the  purpose  of  preaching  the  Gospel  in  the 
dark  corners  of  the  earth.  He  gave  me  a  strong  invita¬ 
tion  to  travel  with  him  a  few  days  through  the  different 
counties  in  the  interior  of  the  State.  Br.  Rogers  offered 
me  his  horse,  and  we  commenced  our  journey  on  Sun¬ 
day  afternoon.  Pressing  forward  for  the  prize,  having 
the  assurance  that  we  should  win,  we  rode  through  mud 
and  rain,  (for  the  rain  fell  in  abundance)  for  eight  days 
on  horseback ;  during  which  I  preached  the  Gospel  every 
day,  and  Br.  Jolly  occasionally,  to  a  needy,  but  hospitable 
people.  After  a  short  respite,  we  returned  to  Mount 
Vernon  (Knox  county)  and  on  Sunday  held  meeting  in 
the  Court-house.  Br.  Jolly  dispensed  the  bread  of  life 
in  the  fore  part  of  the  day,  to  a  large  congregation ;  and 
with  joy  in  my  soul,  I  defended  the  cause  of  my  Master 
in  the  evening,  when  it  was  calculated  there  were  six 
hundred  people  present,  listening,  apparently,  with  heart¬ 
felt  devotion  to  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation.  We  there 
gave  each  other  the  parting  hand;  likewise  the  same  to 
many  of  our  brethren  of  the  Abrahamic  faith — he  bent 
his  course  to  Belpre,  and  I  to  Parkman,  Geauga  county, 
to  attend  an  Association,  where  I  renewed  a  former  ac- 
qaintance  with  Brs.  J.  M.  Tracy  and  A.  Sweet,  and 
formed  a  new  and  intimate  one  with  some  of  our  worthy 
brethren  in  the  ministry — Brs.  Beels  and  N.  Wards- 
worth,  of  Ohio,  in  particular;  and  Brs.  Townsend  and 
Tomlinson,  of  New  York.  If  ever  the  love  of  almighty 
God  to  his  needy  children  was  felt,  and  his  spiritual 


34  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


presence  enjoyed  at  an  Association,  I  believe  it  was  at 
Parkman.  ...  I  then  returned  to  Middlebury,  two  miles 
distant  from  Akron,  where  I  spent  a  few  days  in  the 
society  of  my  brethren  and  friends — held  a  meeting  in 
the  place — enjoyed  much  pleasure  in  their  company,  and 
truly  can  I  say,  they  are  liberal  both  in  theory  and 
practice,  while  they  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our 
Saviour  by  virtuous  lives  and  consistent  conversation.36 

Another  New  Yorker,  Rev.  J.  E.  Holmes,  of  Fre- 
donia,  dwells  at  considerable  length  upon  the  incidents 
of  his  journey  to  the  west,  undertaken  in  1834: 

Monday,  September  I,  I  left  the  vicinity  of  my  labors 
of  last  year  for  an  excursion  in  Ohio.  I  travelled  up  the 
Lake  road;  the  thoroughfare  for  all  who  journey  by 
land  to  the  great  West;  delivering  the  message  of  the 
Gospel,  according  to  previous  arrangements,  on  different 
evenings,  at  Millcreek  and  Springfield,  Pa.,  Ashtabula 
and  Geneva,  Ohio.  Friday  I  called  on  Br.  H.  DeWoolf, 
who  had  only  lately  removed  from  Vermont  to  Madison. 
After  spending  an  hour  with  him  and  his  family,  I  pro¬ 
ceeded  south  toward  Chardon,  the  present  residence  of 
Br.  Tracy,  who  is,  for  the  time  being,  employed  by  the 
Geauga  county  society.  The  road  to  that  place  led  me 
through  the  Ravine  of  the  Grand  River,  skirted  by  high 
projecting  banks  and  over-hanging  cliffs,  which  formed 
a  delightful  contrast  with  the  monotonous  scenery  of 
a  smooth  even  road.  I  arrived  in  Chardon  just  in  time 
to  meet  my  appointment,  and  on  Saturday  returned  to 
the  Ridge  road,  at  Chagrin,  where  I  spent  the  Sunday. 
Journeying  to  this  place  I  passed  through  Kirtland,  the 
rendezvous  of  the  Mormons.  Here  they  are  erecting 
their  temple.  .  .  . 

Monday,  September  8, 1  pursued  my  journey  to  Cleave- 
land — a  flourishing  town  on  the  lake.  ...  I  passed  on 


TOURS  BY  UNIVERSALIST  MINISTERS  35 


to  Olmstead,  the  residence  of  Br.  Wardsworth,  with 
whom  I  was  happy  to  renew  my  acquaintance,  and  in 
whose  family  I  was  glad  to  forget  my  weariness  after 
a  severe  day’s  ride.  In  this  township  the  Universalists 
have  a  house  of  worship,  but  owing  to  the  lateness  of 
my  arrival  and  the  rain,  I  was  prevented  from  holding 
a  meeting  with  them.  Tuesday  we  were  joined  by  Br. 
Tracy  and  his  companion,  with  whom  I  proceeded  to 
Carlisle,  where  I  preached  to  another  society  that  was 
flourishing  under  the  labors  of  Br.  W.  Wednesday  Br. 
Tracy  and  myself,  taking  different  routes,  proceeded  on 
our  way,  and  after  a  day  of  alternate  sunshine  and  rain, 
and  bidding  farewell  to  the  last  brilliant  rays  of  the 
setting  sun,  thrown  athwart  the  horizon,  I  arrived  at 
Norwalk,  and  introduced  myself  to  Br.  Owen,  and  soon 
forgot  the  inconveniences  and  trials  of  the  day  in  the 
hospitable  and  kind  attention  of  him  and  his  worthy 
family. 

Thursday  I  proceeded  to  Peru,  the  residence  of  Br. 
Davis,  who  labors  statedly  in  Huron  county.  Him  I 
found  in  a  reduced  state  of  health.  .  .  .  Saturday  fol¬ 
lowing  commenced  the  session  of  the  Richland  Associa¬ 
tion,  at  the  above  named  place.  There  I  had  the  pleas¬ 
ure  of  forming  an  acquaintance  with  Brs.  Kidwell, 
Rogers,  Jolly,  and  Strong,  preachers  whom  I  had  not 
seen  before,  also  Brs.  Brown  and  Doolittle,  who  had 
publicly  vindicated  the  doctrine  of  impartial  grace.  Br. 
B.  received  the  fellowship  of  the  Association,  and  ex¬ 
pects  to  devote  himself  entirely  to  the  work  of  the  min¬ 
istry.  We  had  a  joyous  meeting.  Three  of  the  six 
discourses  on  the  occasion  were  delivered  in  a  barn, 
fitted  up  for  the  purpose :  there  being  no  house  in  the 
place  of  sufficient  dimensions  for  our  accommoda¬ 
tion.  .  .  . 

On  Wednesday,  September  17,  proceeded  south  to  at¬ 
tend  the  session  of  the  Western  Union  Convention. 
Found  a  friendly  welcome  at  Br.  Ayres  in  Truxville, 


36  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


where  I  delivered  a  message  in  the  evening,  and  was 
joined  by  Brs.  Davis  and  Wardsworth,  with  their  com¬ 
panions.  Thursday  we  passed  onward,  through  a  beau¬ 
tiful  country,  where  peace  and  plenty  seemed  to  smile, 
to  Lexington,  where  we  were  kindly  received,  and  joined 
by  Brs.  Kidwell  and  Rogers.  Here  the  Universalist 
society  has  a  house  completely  enclosed,  and  are  pros¬ 
pering  under  the  labors  of  Br.  Strong.  In  this  house 
I  was  permitted  to  raise  my  voice  in  vindication  of 
God’s  goodness  and  love;  and,  assisted  by  the  brethren 
present,  we  had  a  joyful,  and  I  trust  a  profitable  time. 
Friday  we  proceeded  to  Mt.  Vernon,  the  place  for  hold¬ 
ing  the  Convention.  Here  we  found  many  friends,  who 
were  unsparing  in  their  efforts  to  make  our  stay  agree¬ 
able  and  pleasant.  I,  with  others,  was  cordially  re¬ 
ceived  at  Br.  Burr’s.  .  .  . 

The  most  important  business  before  the  Convention 
related  to  the  new  Seminary  now  being  built  a  Philo¬ 
math,  Indiana.  ...  A  large  concourse  of  people  as¬ 
sembled  to  mingle  in  the  exercises  of  devotion,  and  to 
hear  the  word  of  truth,  “the  Gospel  of  our  salvation.” 
The  Presbyterians,  with  commendable  liberality,  opened 
their  church  for  our  accommodation,  Friday  evening 
and  Saturday ;  and  on  Sunday  the  large  and  commodious 
court  house  was  appropriated  to  our  use,  and  filled  to 
overflowing.  Monday,  with  reluctance,  bidding  adieu 
to  the  brethren  and  friends,  in  company  with  Br.  Strong, 
I  returned  to  Frederic,  to  attend  an  evening  appoint¬ 
ment.  Here,  in  the  midst  of  a  flourishing  town,  a  house 
is  in  progress,  to  be  dedicated  to  the  one  God  and  Father 
of  all,  and  to  be  appointed  to  the  promulgation  of  his 
boundless  and  ceaseless  love.  .  .  .  Proceeded  to  Monroe, 
where  I  lectured  on  Friday  evening,  and,  after  visiting 
Milan,  repaired  to  Norwalk,  to  fill  my  appointment  on 
Sunday.  Here  Br.  Davis  labors  one-fourth  of  the  time 
to  great  acceptance.  Tuesday  following,  I  proceeded 
towards  New-London,  according  to  previous  arrange- 


TOURS  BY  UNIVERSALIST  MINISTERS  37 


ments,  to  attend  the  Conference.  This  day  I  journeyed 
through  a  region  but  partially  settled.  Arriving  at 
New-London  I  again  joined  Brs.  Davis  and  Wards- 
worth,  and  with  them  and  a  respectable  concourse  oi 
people,  assembled  on  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  to  ren¬ 
der  thanks  to  God  for  his  goodness  and  mercy.  On  Fri¬ 
day,  in  company  with  Br.  Sage,  I  was  conducted  to 
Huntington,  Lorain  county.  .  .  . 

Monday,  October  6,  I  directed  my  course  toward 
home,  and  .  .  .  arrived  safe  among  my  friends  on  the 
18th,  having  been  absent  seven  weeks;  travelled  more 
than  six  hundred  miles,  and  preaching  thirty-one  dis¬ 
courses.37 

The  Rev.  George  Rogers,  to  whom  reference  has 
been  made  in  the  preceding  chapter,  was  an  itinerant 
whose  field  included  the  whole  of  the  west  as  it  was 
then  known.  He  first  entered  Ohio  from  Pennsylvania 
about  1834,  visiting  Zanesville,  McConnelsville, 
Watertown,  Marietta,  Belpre,  Cincinnati,  Fayetteville, 
Hillsboro,  Chillicothe,  Lancaster,  Somerset,  Zanesville 
(a  second  time),  Martinsburg,  Newark,  Mt.  Vernon, 
Fredericktown,  Mansfield,  Peru,  Huron,  and  thence 
to  Buffalo.  While  en  route  he  wrote: 

I  have  now  been  in  Ohio  twenty-three  days,  during 
which  I  have  travelled  eighty  miles  by  stage,  seventy  on 
horseback,  three  hundred  by  steam-boat,  and  I  have 
preached  twenty-five  sermons,  besides  a  funeral  dis¬ 
course.  In  whatever  city  or  large  town  I  visit,  I  hold 
a  protracted  meeting:  thus  fighting  error  with  its  own 
weapons.  I  am  so  accustomed  to  being  opposed  or  ques¬ 
tioned  in  my  public  meetings,  that  the  circumstance  does 
not  move  a  hair  of  my  head  in  surprise  or  excitement.38 


38  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


He  also  describes  his  reception  in  Zanesville: 

Zanesville,  Ohio,  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  Musk¬ 
ingum  river,  sixty  miles  above  its  confluence;  it  is  a 
place  of  a  pretty  brisk  business,  and  contains  six  thou-  ' 
sand  inhabitants.  Owing,  I  suppose,  to  the  mere  cir¬ 
cumstance  of  my  being  from  afar  off,  my  meetings  were 
much  larger  than  any  previously  held  in  the  place,  by 
abler  and  worthier  brethren.  I  preached  six  successive 
evenings,  beginning  without  a  solitary  female  hearer, 
and  ending  with  eighty  or  ninety;  the  male  part  of  the 
audience  also  increasing  with  each  lecture,  till  the  house 
was  entirely  too  small  for  our  purpose,  and  I  certainly 
never  addressed  an  audience  which  listened  with  a  more 
silent  and  respectful  interest.  As  might  be  expected, 
bigotry  did  not  rest  easy  under  this  state  of  things; 
handbills  were  posted  on  the  market  house  and  corners 
of  the  streets,  warning  the  good  citizens  against  the 
deceiver,  and  kindly  calling  on  them  to  “drive  him  out 
of  town  as  they  did  at  Pittsburg,”  &c.38 

Rev.  Erasmus  Manford  was  another  itinerant  who 
identified  himself  with  “the  West”  rather  than  with 
any  one  locality: 

About  1835  he  crossed  the  Alleghenies  at  Pittsburg. 
“Preached  in  many  places  in  the  Western  Reserve,  gen¬ 
erally  had  large  congregations,  and  found  many  devoted 
believers  in  the  Great  Salvation.  A  large  portion  of  the 
population  of  the  Reserve  were  from  the  Eastern  states, 
and  they  brought  .  .  .  liberal  religious  sentiments  with 
them.” 

He  preached  in  Ashtabula,  Wellsville,  Wheeling, 
Steubenville,  Marietta,  Chillicothe,  Bainbridge.  Here 
“one  minister  treated  me  very  kindly,  and  assisted  sev- 


TOURS  BY  UNIVERSALIST  MINISTERS  39 


eral  times  in  the  services,  but  another  was  boiling  over 
with  rage,  but  he  heard  me  through.  At  the  close  of 
the  second  discourse,  he  jumped  to  his  feet,  and  told 
the  people  that  the  speaker  believed  in  no  hell  or  devil, 
and  for  my  part  (he  added)  I  would  as  soon  deny  that 
there  is  a  God  or  a  heaven/’ 

“I  went  to  Cincinnati  by  stage,  and  oh,  what  roads ! 
There  were  no  railroads  then,  not  even  turnpikes.  It 
was  mud,  mud,  mud,  nothing  but  mud;  stiff,  black,  deep 
mud.  I  forget  how  many  times  the  stage  broke  down, 
how  many  horses  wTere  killed,  or  how  many  times  all 
hands  had  to  get  out  into  the  ocean  of  mud,  and  pry 
the  stage  out  of  the  mud.” 

After  a  trip  to  the  south  he  returned  to  Ohio  and 
prfeached  in  Cincinnati,  Mount  Healthy,  Hamilton,  Ox¬ 
ford,  Middletown,  and  then  proceeded  to  Dayton.  '‘Hav¬ 
ing  reference  to  no  one,  I  called  on  the  sheriff,  and 
engaged  the  court-house  for  the  next  day — Sunday. 
Wrote  some  notices  of  the  proposed  meeting,  and  while 
putting  them  up  in  different  parts  of  the  town,  a  gentle¬ 
man  introduced  himself,  who  proved  to  be  the  mayor 
of  the  city.  He  kindly  informed  me  of  a  man  of  my 
faith,  on  whom  I  called,  and  was  received  with  a  hearty 
welcome.  I  delivered  two  discourses  on  Sunday.”  He 
remained  three  months  and  organized  a  society  and  a 
choir;  he  received  $100. 

After  a  trip  to  Chicago,  he  again  returned  to  Ohio  on 
horseback  and  lectured  in  Mason  on  temperance,  and 
preached  near  Edwardsville.  "General  Baldwin  resided 
near  there — a  reliable  friend  of  liberal  principles.  He 
was  an  intelligent  and  influential  man,  and  devoted  to 
our  cause.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to  make  an  effort 
to  establish  Universalism  in  Southern  Ohio.  Although 
a  layman  he  often  spoke  in  public  in  its  defense.  Sub¬ 
sequently  he  moved  to  Illinois;  but  he  carried  his  religion 
and  zeal  with  him.” 

He  spoke  in  Columbus,  McConnelsville,  and  Marietta. 


40  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


and  Belpre.  In  Marietta  “I  was  urged  to  remain  .  .  .  , 
and  the  society  offered  me  five  hundred  dollars  per  year, 
a  liberal  salary  for  the  times,  but  I  declined.31 

Occasionally  a  layman  would  outline  his  travels  to 
some  denominational  magazine,  as  in  this  communica¬ 
tion  from  one  who  signs  himself  “Cosmopolite”: 

My  stay  in  Cleveland  was  short.  Having  finished  my 
business  on  Monday  following  my  arrival  before  night, 
and  no  stage  for  Wooster,  on  the  direct  route  through 
Ohio,  until  next  morning,  concluded  to  take  the  Canal 
Packet  at  4  o’clock  for  Akron,  which,  though  a  little 
out  of  my  way,  would  bring  me  nearer  to  Wooster  in 
the  morning  than  I  could  otherwise  be.  I  was  induced 
to  this  course  in  part  by  a  wish  to  see  Akron,  which  was 
said  to  be  a  flourishing  place,  and  where  I  had  been  told 
Universalism  was  prospering  finely,  the  society  there 
having  the  best  house  of  worship  in  the  place,  and  con¬ 
taining  among  its  members  a  large  portion  of  the  most 
respectable  citizens.  The  trip  in  the  Canal  Boat,  during 
the  evening  of  the  day  was  highly  interesting.  The 
route  lay  along  the  Cuyahoga  River,  mostly  through 
rather  low  and  uncultivated  woodlands.  The  full  moon 
rose  and  gliding  quietly  along,  behind  the  tops  of  the 
trees  and  the  small  passing  clouds,  reflected  her  bor¬ 
rowed  light  on  all  around.  ...  I  traversed  the  deck  of 
the  boat  till  a  late  hour,  contemplating  and  admiring 
the  wonderful  works  of  God;  and  I  could  not  forbear 
reflecting,  how  is  it  possible  for  any  rational  being,  in 
view  of  all  these  things,  to  give  way  to  a  single  moment 
to  the  idea  that  He  is  a  partial,  yea,  a  cruel  and  vin¬ 
dictive  Being?  That  He  has  brought  into  existence 
myriads  of  sensitive,  yet  helpless  creatures,  knowing  that 
they  must  be  doomed  to  everlasting  wo  !  Away  with 
the  impious  thought ! 


TOURS  BY  UNIVERSALIST  MINISTERS  41 


On  turning  out  in  the  morning,  I  found  that  we  were 
near  the  lower  end  of  the  village  of  Akron,  and  there 
being  some  twelve  or  fifteen  locks  to  pass,  and  another 
boat  having  just  entered  the  first,  which  would  subject 
ours  to  double  time  or  near  it  in  getting  through,  I 
concluded  to  accompany  another  passenger  on  a  walk 
of  about  a  mile  up  to  the  “Summit  House”  .  .  .  where 
I  supposed  we  could  have  time  to  get  breakfast  and 
take  a  view  of  the  place,  before  the  stage  would  start 
for  Wooster.  But  I  was  doomed  to  disappointment  in 
my  calculations,  from  a  want  of  a  knowledge  of  the  situ¬ 
ation  and  localities  of  the  place,  for  in  walking  up  the 
tow-path,  I  passed  by  the  lower  and  most  flourishing 
of  the  two  villages,  without  getting  a  view  of  it  as  I 
passed  along,  and  found  myself  at  the  upper  village 
when  at  the  “Summit  House.”  .  .  .  Here  I  had  not 
remained  long,  when  the  landlord  came  and  informed  me 
that  the  Wooster  stage  was  in  waiting,  and  directed  my 
attention  to  a  sort  of  Jersey  built  waggon,  hung  on  stiff 
wooden  springs.  ...  I  must  take  my  seat  in  this  ve¬ 
hicle,  and  ride  in  it  during  the  whole  of  a  very  hot  day, 
over  a  rough,  hilly  road.  .  .  .  My  trip  .  .  .  was,  as  I 
had  anticipated,  rather  fatiguing,  and  to  add  to  the  un¬ 
pleasantness  of  my  situation,  a  loaferish  fellow  took  a 
seat  by  my  side,  in  the  after  part  of  the  day,  who  per¬ 
haps  had  not,  for  the  previous  month,  ceased  to  keep  his 
skin  well  filled  with  the  ardent.39 

It  must  not  be  imagined  that  all  early  Universalist 
ministers  were  of  attractive  personality.  An  intimate 
picture  of  an  unknown  preacher  is  given  us  by  a 
chance  acquaintance  of  his: 

I  was  much  entertained,  as  we  rode,  by  a  queer  char¬ 
acter  who  very  soon  entered  into  conversation  with  me, 


42  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


choosing  me,  I  confess,  because  he  sat  facing  me;  and 
conversation  seemed  a  necessity  with  him.  He  was  a 
minister,  I  was  soon  to  learn,  of  the  Universalist  de¬ 
nomination,  but  of  an  altogether  different  type  from 
the  gentleman  I  had  met  on  the  boat,  and  by  whose  con¬ 
versation  I  had  been  so  greatly  edified.  This  gentleman 
was  stout  and  slightly  bald;  his  stock  was  awry;  his 
clothes  in  need  of  brushing;  he  talked  in  a  loud  com¬ 
plaining  voice;  his  theme  partly  the  merits  of  a  Brother 
Moore  whom  he  had  recently  heard  discourse,  and  partly 
his  disappointment  over  a  journey  he  had  recently  taken 
into  Illinois.  Brother  Moore,  he  informed  us,  “is  one 
of  the  brightest  stars  in  the  firmament  of  our  race,  and 
will  soon  throw  the  coruscant  beauties  of  an  intelligent 
mind  upon  the  visions  of  listening  multitudes.  He  is 
about  21  years  old,”  he  continued  so  persistently  that 
any  other  conversation  was  impossible,  “of  wealthy  and 
highly  respectable  parentage,  and  is  now  under  the  edu¬ 
cational  care  of  the  learned,  pious,  and  devoted  E.  S. 
Wiley.” 

We  had  but  left  the  miserable  dinner  at  a  more 
miserable  inn,  when  this  minister  burst  forth  upon  the 
fondness  of  many  preachers  for  food.  “'What  goeth 
into  the  mouths  of  too  many  of  our  preachers,”  he  ex¬ 
claimed,  “are  the  things  which  defile  the  man;  for 
some  are  such  high  eaters  that  they  are  continually 
laboring  under  dyspepsias  and  other  diseases  of  a  mel¬ 
ancholic  and  hypochondriacal  nature.  If  they  would 
add  to  their  faith  a  little  more  temperance,  they  would 
become  healthier  men,  better  preachers,  and  be  less 
plagued  with  gloom  and  despondence  of  mind.  Show 
me  a  man  who  crowds  into  the  narrow  confines  of  a 
small  stomach  a  little  of  everything  (and  some  are  in 
the  habit  of  filling  themselves  from  the  four  quarters 
of  the  globe),  pork,  beef,  fowl,  fish,  potatoes,  milk,  tea, 
coffee,  rice,  etc.,  and  I  will  show  you  one  whose  habits 
will  inevitably  engender  disease,  becloud  and  obscure 


TOURS  BY  UNIVERSALIST  MINISTERS  43 


his  mind,  and  render  him  unfit  for  strong  mental  ex¬ 
ercises.  We  seldom  see  hearty  eaters  of  pork  rise  to 
eminence  in  anything  but  muscular  force.” 

As  I  had  observed,  at  the  miserable  tavern  at  which 
he  had  just  dined,  that  this  worthy  man  had  partaken 
largely  of  the  fried  pickled  pork,  the  greasy  potatoes, 
and  the  wretched  coffee,  I  could  not  forbear  a  smile, 
which  he  failed  to  observe  because  of  his  self-absorp¬ 
tion.  He  continued  to  dwell  upon  his  troubles,  no  doubt 
enhanced  by  this  time  by  the  weight  of  the  pork,  and 
to  recite  at  length  the  story  of  his  journey  into  Illinois 
to  hold  a  meeting,  which  he  said  “was  completely 
blotted  out”  by  the  appearance  in  the  town,  on  that 
same  day,  of  one  of  the  candidates  for  the  United  States 
presidence.  “He,  with  his  attendants,”  said  he  spitefully, 
“was  so  much  more  popular  with  the  people  of  Fairfield 
than  Jesus  Christ  and  His  apostles  that  the  latter  did 
not  once  seem  to  be  thought  of  by  either  saint  or  sinner. 
.  .  .  I  .  .  .  could  not  divine  why  so  great  a  stir  was 
made  because  a  fellow  man  was  passing.  My  meeting 
was  completely  blotted  out.  I  had  a  similar  experi¬ 
ence  in  Dayton,  where  I  had  an  appointment  at  candle¬ 
light.  Forty  or  fifty  thousand  people  on  the  street,  all 
gaping  to  hear  political  speeches — the  streets  filled  with 
an  almost  impassible  electioneering  apparatus — I  did  not 
even  stop,  but  returned  home  to  remain  until  this  mad¬ 
ness  is  over.”  39* 

As  a  concluding  example  of  the  Universalist  travel 
sketch,  the  following  will  serve.  It  is  from  the  pen 
of  Rev.  W.  S.  Ealch  in  1843: 

A  night  and  a  day’s  ride  from  Cumberland  over  the 
Alleghenies  brought  us  to  Wheeling,  where  we  lodged. 
Having  received  a  request  from  Br.  Gurley  to  hasten 


44  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


my  speed  as  fast  as  possible,  and  the  water  being  low, 
I  took  stage  for  Cincinnati  at  7,  Friday  morning,  Aug. 
11.  My  friend  took  the  steamboat.  After  a  ride,  not 
very  unpleasant,  of  two  days  and  two  nights,  I  reached 
Cincinnati  at  half  past  9  Sunday  morning,  just  in  season 
to  attend  the  dedication  of  the  new  church.  As  you 
may  suppose,  my  body  was  very  much  fatigued,  but, 
singular  as  it  may  seem,  my  health  was  greatly  im¬ 
proved.  This  jolting  and  jostling  at  a  rapid  rate  through 
this  uneven  world,  is  far  less  injurious  to  the  health 
.  .  .  than  the  confinement  and  sameness  of  a  sedentary 
life.  .  .  . 

It  is  singular  with  what  readiness  a  strong  attachment 
is  engendered  in  the  bosoms  of  fellow-passengers  in  a 
stage  coach.  We  may  travel  on  railroads  or  in  steam¬ 
boats,  for  days  together,  and  be  strangers  still.  But  an 
hour’s  contact  in  a  stage  makes  us  feel  as  though  we 
had  been  acquainted  for  years.  .  .  . 

For  a  considerable  part  of  my  ride  from  Wheeling 
I  was  disappointed  with  the  appearance  of  the  country. 
It  did  not  come  near  up  to  the  flourishing  descriptions 
I  have  heard  of  the  famous  “Valley  of  the  Ohio.” 
Some  portions  however  excelled  my  expectations.  .  .  . 
Nothing  can  surpass  the  agricultural  beauty  of  some 
parts  of  this  State.  The  villages  lack  the  neatness 
and  thrift  which  characterizes  our  Eastern  towns.  Tav¬ 
erns  and  whisky  are  too  plenty — school-houses  and 
churches  too  scarce.  .  .  . 

We  had  quite  an  interesting  time  here  (Cincinnati) 
yesterday.  The  new  Universalist  Church,  which  by  the 
way  is  a  very  large  and  handsome  building,  was  solemnly 
dedicated  to  the  service  of  the  Most  High  God  in  the 
forenoon.  In  the  afternoon,  in  addition  to  the  regular 
services,  the  communion  of  the  Lord’s  Supper  was  cele¬ 
brated.  An  unusually  large  number  of  brethren  and 
sisters  participated  in  the  solemn  rite.  In  the  evening 
solemn  ordination  was  conferred  upon  a  brother  who 


TOURS  BY  UNIVERSALIST  MINISTERS  45 


has  for  some  time  been  laboring  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  Altogether  it  was  a  very  happy  and  profitable 
day,  and,  though  excessively  fatigued  by  my  journey, 
I  enjoyed  it  very  much. 

There  is  a  lively  zeal  and  warm-heartedness  among 
our  friends  in  this  city,  which  promised  much  for  the 
prosperity  of  our  cause.  But  a  prudent  and  gentle  hand 
is  needed  to  guide  them  in  the  way  of  success.  The 
character  of  our  denomination  in  this  section  of  our 
country  is  not  yet  formed,  and  it  is  exceedingly  im¬ 
portant  that  it  should  be  well  and  truly  developed.  Public 
feeling  here,  as  everywhere,  is  rapidly  tending  toward 
liberality,  and  religious  sentiments  are  in  a  transition 
state.  It  is  essential  to  the  triumph  of  truth  and  good¬ 
ness,  that  the  liberal  should  be  firmly  represented. 
Every  effort  is  made  by  partialism  to  hold  dominion 
over  the  popular  mind.  Its  grasp  has  been  broken,  but 
deliverance  has  not  fully  come.40 


CHAPTER  VI 


THEOLOGY  OF  OHIO  UNIVERSALISTS 

This  study  concerns  itself  with  the  history  of  the 
organization  rather  than  the  doctrine  of  Universalists. 
But  in  passing  it  may  be  well  to  state  briefly  the 
general  characteristics  of  the  denominational  thought. 
Theologically  Universalism  was  a  reaction  against  the 
limitarianism  or  partialism  of  popular  Christianity. 
It  also  opposed  the  excessive  emotionalism  of  the  old- 
time  revival  with  a  calmer  and  more  permanent  en¬ 
thusiasm.  It  insisted  that  Christianity  is  capable  of 
being  understood  by  the  reason  and  that  it  must  be 
expressed  in  ethical  relations.  Positively  it  taught 
that  God  was  the  Father,  and  Jesus  the  Saviour,  of 
all  mankind,  and  that  sin  would  be  so  surely  punished 
as  to  cause  men  to  turn  from  the  evil  to  the  good 
and  that  the  goal  of  history  is  the  salvation  of  all. 
The  Bible  was  at  first  regarded  from  the  customary 
point  of  view  of  the  days  before  the  rise  of  modern 
criticism. 

With  general  agreement  upon  such  matters  as 
these  there  was  nevertheless  considerable  variation 
upon  other  questions.  Sargent  and  Smith  have 


46 


THEOLOGY  OF  OHIO  UNIVERSALISTS  47 


already  been  mentioned  as  holding  unusual  views. 
The  privilege  of  individual  opinion  has  usually  been 
frankly  accorded  to  both  clergy  and  laity. 

Among  Universalists  of  Ohio,  as  elsewhere,  there 
have  been  both  Unitarians  and  trinitarians.  But  the 
weight  of  opinion  has  seemingly  inclined  toward  the 
Unitarian  view.  Sargent  and  followers,  Kidwell  and 
his,  were  of  this  type,  and  their  views  were  impressed 
upon  those  of  later  years. 

As  has  been  stated  above,  the  question  of  punish¬ 
ment  in  the  future  life  was,  in  the  early  days,  one  for 
controversy,  dividing  the  denomination  into  groups. 
Those  called  Universalists  were  usually  Unitarians  and 
believed  in  no  future  punishment;  those  called  Resto- 
rationists  were  usually  trinitarians  and  taught  limited 
future  punishment.  Concerning  the  prevalence  of 
these  views  we  have  two  bits  of  testimony,  the  first 
from  a  Mr.  R.  of  Cincinnati,  and  the  other  from  Kid- 
well  : 


Mr.  R.  is  thoroughly  acquainted  with  all  the  Univer¬ 
salists  in  every  section  of  this  country.  He  tells  me 
oil,  with  a  few  exceptions,  are  Unitarian  Universalists. 
It  is  the  fact  in  this  city.  The  Restorationists  he  says 
are  comparatively  nothing. 

There  is  but  one  preacher  within  my  acquaintance, 
calling  himself  a  Universalist,  who  believes  in  future 
punishment,  and  there  are  but  few  private  individuals. 
This  preacher  is  the  Rev.  Daniel  Parker.41 

At  the  present  time,  however,  it  is  probable  that  the 


48  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


greater  part  of  the  denomination  combine  a  Unitarian 
attitude  concerning  God  with  a  belief  in  future  limited 
punishment. 

There  arose  differences  of  opinion  concerning  the 
Bible  even  in  the  early  days.  Most  of  the  Univer- 
salists  of  that  period  supposed  that  the  entire  Penta¬ 
teuch  was  written  by  Moses,  and  that,  unless  one 
accepted  all  the  miracles  of  both  testaments,  one  could 
not  deserve  the  name  of  Christian.  Kidwell  and  his 
friends  held  much  more  liberal  and  advanced  views 
on  these  matters,  arguing  that  the  Christian  religion 
was  independent  of  such  superstitions.  In  1843  Kid- 
well  published  a  book  called  “The  Alpha  and  Omega,” 
which  outlined  his  views  of  the  Pentateuch  and  of 
Revelation.  The  preface  to  the  Alpha  states: 

Those  who  attack  popular  opinions,  especially  reli¬ 
gious  opinions,  however  false,  must  expect  to  call  down 
the  pious  scorn  and  maledictions  of  popular  censure, 
as  well  as  the  contempt  of  religious  bigots.  Being  well 
apprised  of  this  fact  my  mind  was  well  prepared  for 
all  the  contumely,  which  ignorance,  bigotry,  and  super¬ 
stition  could  invent.  But  the  love  of  truth  has  always 
inspired  me  with  an  unconquerable  determination  to 
defend  truth  wherever  it  may  be  found.  Having  long 
been  of  the  opinion  that  many  of  the  marvellous  tales 
and  dogmas  of  the  Jewish  pentateuch  contradict  reason 
and  nature,  I  have  not  hesitated  to  declare  my  honest 
convictions  on  the  subject.  And  it  is  my  honest  opinion 
that  thousands  of  the  Christian  community  privately 
entertain  the  same  opinion,  but  remain  silent  for  fear 
of  being  called  skeptics  or  infidels.  This  I  know  to  be 


THEOLOGY  OF  OHIO  UNIVESRALISTS  49 


the  truth  with  many  of  my  Universalist  brethren  who 
have  acknowledged  the  fact  to  me  by  word  of  mouth 
and  letter,  but  do  not  wish  their  names  to  go  before 
the  public  for  the  above  reason.42 

Kidwell  was  about  fifty-five  years  of  age  when 
the  controversy  began,  and  his  younger,  although  in¬ 
tellectually  less  able,  opponents  gradually  weakened 
his  leadership  until,  at  his  death,  the  more  conven¬ 
tional  views  concerning  the  Bible  had  become  victo¬ 
rious.  How  this  debate  was  regarded  by  eastern 
Universalists  and  how  it  reacted  against  Kidwell  is 
suggested  by  two  references  to  him.  In  describing  the 
session  of  the  General  Convention  of  the  Western 
States  in  1835  (before  the  controversy  had  begun), 
Rev.  L.  L.  Sadler  writes: 

Among  others  assembled  was  Father  Kidwell,  whose 
praise  is  in  all  the  churches.  Happy  indeed  was  I  to 
meet  with  this  faithful  veteran  of  Israel,  who  has  so 
long  stood  as  one  of  the  outer  posts  of  our  bulwarks  of 
the  western  frontier.  He  is  all  I  had  anticipated  of 
him.  In  one  word,  what  father  Ballou  is  to  the  eastern 
States,  father  Kidwell  is  to  the  western.  For  many 
years  he  has  devoted  himself  to  the  cause  of  godly,  im¬ 
partial,  and  triumphant  grace  in  this  region  of  country : 
and  no  man’s  labors  could  be  more  duly  appreciated  and 
blessed.  Flis  name  and  his  virtues  will  be  embalmed  in 
the  affections  of  his  acquaintance,  and  future  genera¬ 
tions  will  recount  his  deeds  with  gratitude,  and  pro¬ 
nounce  him  blessed.  .  .  .  With  all  his  devotedness  to 
the  public  good,  he  has  witnessed  grievous  trials  and 
perils  amid  false  brethren,  who  have  attempted  to  de- 


50  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


range  his  business,  and  transfix  his  character,  and  injure 
the  Institution  of  his  own  creating. 

Twelve  years  later  Rev.  Dolphus  Skinner,  an  eastern 
editor,  classes  Kidwell  with  Parker  of  Boston  and 
Prince  of  Danvers,  and  also  with  Paine,  Voltaire,  etc. 
He  says  of  him : 

His  influence  is  entirely  limited  to  the  West,  and  does 
not  there  extend  beyond  a  narrow  circle  of  kindred 
spirits,  who,  like  himself,  have  large  combativeness,  little 
learning,  little  reverence,  a  great  deal  more  of  anti¬ 
orthodoxy  than  of  Universalism,  and  quite  as  much  skep¬ 
ticism  as  of  either. 

The  development  of  modern  Biblical  criticism  and 
the  rise  of  modern  natural  science  has  caused  a  shift¬ 
ing  of  opinion.  Not  the  details  perhaps,  but  certainly 
the  major  propositions  of  Kidwell’s  position  have 
proved  prophetic  of  what  was  to  become  the  denomi¬ 
national  teaching,  for  to-day  Universalists  insist  not 
that  the  Bible  is,  but  that  it  contains ,  a  revelation,  and, 
although  many  individuals  accept  the  miracles,  many 
reject  them.  In  any  case  such  matters  are  regarded 
as  non-essential. 

This  poem  by  one  whose  girlhood  was  spent  in  an 
Ohio  Universalist  home,  namely  Alice  Cary,  gives 
expression  to  the  theology  with  which  she  was 
nurtured: 


I  hold  that  Christian  grace  abounds 
Where  charity  is  seen;  that  when 
We  climb  to  heaven,  ’tis  on  rounds 
Of  love  to  men. 


THEOLOGY  OF  OHIO  UNIVERSALISTS  51 


I  hold  all  else,  named  piety, 

A  selfish  scheme,  a  vain  pretence; 

Where  centre  is  not — can  there  be 
Circumference? 

This  I  moreover  hold,  and  dare 

Affirm  where'er  my  rhyme  may  go, — 

Whatever  things  be  sweet  or  fair, 

Love  makes  them  so. 

Whether  it  be  the  lullabies 

That  charm  to  rest  the  nursling  bird, 

Or  the  sweet  confidence  of  sighs 
And  blushes,  made  without  a  word. 

Whether  the  dazzling  and  flush 

Of  softly  sumptuous  garden  bowers, 

Or  by  some  cabin  door,  a  bush 
Of  ragged  flowers. 

'Tis  not  the  wide  phylactery, 

Nor  stubborn  fast,  nor  stated  prayers, 

That  makes  us  saints:  we  judge  the  tree 
By  what  it  bears. 

And  when  a  man  can  live  apart 
From  works,  on  theologic  trust, 

I  know  the  blood  about  his  heart 
Is  dry  as  dust. 


CHAPTER  VII 


UNI  VERS  ALISTS  AND  OTHER  SECTS 

From  what  has  been  said  in  the  first  chapter  con¬ 
cerning  the  general  religious  conditions  in  Ohio  and 
the  mutual  jealousy  and  debate  which  actuated  those 
days,  it  is  but  to  be  expected  that  we  should  find 
Universalists  behaving  very  much  as  did  their  neigh¬ 
bors.  The  news  of  the  conversion  of  an  orthodox 
minister  to  the  more  liberal  faith  was  copied  with 
rejoicing  throughout  the  denominational  press.  A 
frank  and  open  warfare  was  declared  upon  the  more 
conservative  sects  of  Protestantism.  But,  so  far  as  the 
Universalists  were  concerned,  the  aim  was  not  so 
much  to  secure  members,  money,  or  organization,  as 
to  win  the  general  acceptance  of  their  teachings  by 
those  of  all  sects. 

A  number  of  Newlight  preachers  on  the  Western 
Reserve  accepted  Universalism.43  This  was  hailed  as 
a  sure  evidence  of  the  favor  of  God  and  the  progress 
of  truth.  But  sometimes  the  process  went  in  the  op¬ 
posite  direction. 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Williams  and  Aylot  Rains  preached  for 

52 


UNIVERSALISTS  AND  OTHER  SECTS 


53 


the  CTniversalists  on  Sunday  and  the  next  morning  went 
to  Sandy  Lake  and  immersed  each  other  and  entered 
the  Disciple  ministry.  For  some  time  Mr.  Williams 
seemed  to  be  undecided  what  to  do,  join  the  Mormons 
or  the  Disciples,  and  Mr.  Rains  was  regarded  with 
some  suspicion  by  his  new  associates,  who  looked  upon 
him  as  merely  an  immersed  Universalist.  ...  It  was 
difficult  for  the  Brimfield  friends  to  reconcile  the  con¬ 
duct  of  Williams  and  Rains  with  moral  right.  They 
received  Universalist  money  on  Sunday  when  they  had 
determined  to  desert  on  Monday.22 

There  were  not  less  than  six  Universalists  who  went 
over  to  the  Disciple  ministry  about  this  time  (1828). 
In  explanation  of  their  conduct  Rains  wrote: 

Those  Universalists,  with  whom  I  have  been  ac¬ 
quainted,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  individuals,  are 
destitute  of  all  religious  energy,  and  in  fact  of  every¬ 
thing  else  necessary  to  the  advancement  of  the  religion 
of  Jesus  Christ  among  men.  ...  I  preached  to  them  in 
the  proper  Universalist  way,  until  my  constitution  was 
impaired,  but  their  condition  is  not  any  better. 

To  which  the  editor  replied: 

They  (the  readers)  well  know,  and  deplore  the  fact, 
that  many  of  our  western  preachers  have  not  acted  up 
to  the  spirit  of  the  holy  religion  they  professed;  but  have 
degraded  and  disgraced  the  cause,  and  finally  abandoned 
it,  while,  through  their  neglect  and  abuse,  it  was  bleed¬ 
ing  at  every  pore.44 

The  petty  nature  of  the  criticisms  hurled  back  and 


54  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


forth  is  illustrated  in  these  references  to  Robert  Smith. 
Of  course  the  opponents  of  Universalism  made  much 
of  his  renunciation  of  that  faith: 

Instead  of  taking  the  time  and  trouble  to  copy  out  of 
the  Bible  his  proof -texts,  he  cut  out,  with  a  pair  of 
scissors,  such  portions  as  he  desired  to  quote,  and  pasted 
them  on  blank  cards  procured  for  that  special  purpose. 
In  this  way  he  would  destroy  a  dozen  of  Bibles  and 
New  Testaments  in  a  week.  .  .  .  Surely,  no  man,  who 
had  a  proper  reverence  for  the  word  of  God  would  treat 
it  in  this  manner.  .  .  . 

In  the  fall  of  1850,  I  was  appointed  ...  in  the  Ken¬ 
tucky  conference.  At  my  third  quarterly  meeting  for 
London  circuit,  in  Laurel  county,  a  wilderness  region, 
I  noticed  quite  a  familiar  countenance  in  my  congrega¬ 
tion.  (This  turned  out  to  be  Smith  who,  in  speaking 
of  former  days  in  Ohio,  said)  “I  have  changed  my 
course  of  life  since  then,  and  retired  to  this  new  country 
to  live.”  I  was  also  informed  that  he  had  not  lived 
long  in  that  region,  and  that,  since  his  arrival  among 
them,  he  had  kept  himself  hidden,  as  much  as  possible, 
from  public  view.43 

Arguments,  both  public  and  private,  held  the  popular 
attention.  The  young  ladies  of  Marietta  were  urged 
by  a  revivalist  to  avoid  the  Universalist  young  men, 
whereupon  one  of  them  replied  that  there  was  “not  a 
decent  young  man  in  Marietta  who  is  not  a  Univer¬ 
salist.  ”  A  Methodist  preacher  relates  the  following 
amusing  illustration  of  theological  give  and  take  in 
every-day  life: 

On  Owl  creek  there  lived  a  Universalist,  who  like  the 
most  of  them,  was  full  of  controversy;  and  to  hear 


UNIVERSALISTS  AND  OTHER  SECTS 


oo 


him  talk,  one  would  imagine  that  he  considered  himself 
able  to  overturn  all  orthodoxy,  and  even  “wiser  than 
seven  men  who  could  render  a  reason.’’  He  always 
came  to  our  meetings,  and  invariably  pressed  me  to  go 
home  with  him.  I  was  considerably  annoyed  by  the 
fellow,  and  one  day,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  rid  of 
him,  agreed  to  accompany  him  home.  He  was  a  real 
backwoods  hunter,  rough  and  uncouth  in  his  manners. 
He  lived  about  four  miles  from  the  appointment,  and 
we  started  through  the  woods,  travelling,  part  of  the 
time  a  cow  path.  When  we  arrived  at  his  cabin,  which 
was  situate  in  a  corn-patch,  and  only  about  sixteen  feet 
square,  I  said  to  him,  “Bill,  what  shall  I  do  with  my 
horse?”  “Tie  him  to  the  fence,”  he  replied.  “Well, 
but  what  shall  I  give  him  to  eat?”  “Feed  him  with 
cut-up  corn,”  said  he.  It  was  too  late  to  retreat,  so  I 
went  into  the  cabin,  and  his  wife  prepared  some  venison 
in  backwoods  fashion,  and  we  partook  of  our  supper. 
As  soon  as  we  had  finished  our  repast,  Bill  got  down 
his  old  Bible  and  said,  “Now  I  have  got  you,  and  you 
will  be  obliged  to  argue  with  me  on  the  subject  of  re¬ 
ligion.  I  have  been  waiting  for  a  long  time  to  have 
a  controversy  with  you.”  “No,”  said  I,  “Bill,  you  have 
net  a  sufficient  amount  of  sense  to  hold  an  argument 
on  any  religious  subject.  You  brought  me  here  as  a 
Methodist  preacher,  and  I  must  instruct  you  and  your 
family;  so  call  in  your  children  and  we  will  have 
prayers.”  Notwithstanding  all  his  excuses  and  plead¬ 
ings  I  insisted  upon  the  course  I  had  adopted,  and  his 
wife  and  children  were  called  in,  and  I  read  the  scrip¬ 
tures,  explained,  and  applied  the  truth  to  all,  and  then 
prayed  to  God  for  their  salvation.46 


But  not  all  the  contests  were  so  easily  won.  The 
same  author  states  that  “in  almost  all  the  towns,  Cal¬ 
vinism  and  Universalism  had  intrenched  them- 


56  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


selves.”  47  And  another  Methodist  describes  his  ad¬ 
versaries  with  the  assertion  that  “the  Universalists  and 
Campbellites  became  by  the  ratio  of  our  zeal  the  more 
offensive  and  opposing,  as  they  generally  do.  And 
there  were  a  few  others  who  ought  to  have  been 
ashamed  of  their  conduct,  but  God  will  judge  them.”  48 
A  typical  argument  is  found  in  a  conversation  re¬ 
ported  in  this  case  by  a  Universalist: 

A  young  gentleman  in  Oxford,  who  has  lately  re¬ 
nounced  Presbyterianism  and  embraced  the  gospel,  or 
good  tidings  of  salvation,  was  waited  on  by  a  Presby¬ 
terian  deacon,  with  a  view  to  converting  him  back  to 
the  faith  of  a  devil,  an  angry  God,  and  Pluto’s  hell; 
among  other  orthodox  reasons,  he  declared  that  the 
Universalist  church  in  Oxford  would  be  the  means  of 
sending  more  souls  to  hell,  than  Mr.  Little  (the  Pres¬ 
byterian  minister)  would  save.  .  .  .  This  grave  deacon 
in  the  first  place  told  the  young  gentleman  that  he  had 
been  deluded  into  the  belief  in  Universalism  by  his 
father:  but  this  would  not  do;  his  father  was  a  good 
Baptist.  Well,  then  he  had  been  to  hear  some  of  the 
wicked  Universalists  or  read  their  books.  Here  again 
the  prophet  wras  deceived.  If  you  wish  to  know  the 
truth,  said  the  young  convert,  it  was  Mr.  Little  and  no 
other  man,  that  made  me  a  Universalist.  This  was 
strange  news  to  the  man  of  wisdom.  How  could  this 
be?  Why,  said  the  young  gentleman,  his  doctrine  was 
so  absurd  and  contradictory,  it  set  me  to  reading  the 
Bible,  and  I  saw  it  taught  Universalism.  So  it  appears 
that  if  Universalism  leads  to  hell,  Mr.  L.  instead  of 
saving  this  young  man’s  soul,  has  sent  it  to  hell*9 

A  similar  incident  is  pictured  from  the  orthodox 


UNIVERSALISTS  AND  OTHER  SECTS 


57 


standpoint,  in  which  a  Captain  - ,  living  in  the 

southwestern  corner  of  the  state,  is  represented  as 
despondent  and  contemplating  suicide : 


Through  a  young  man  that  boarded  with  him  he  had 
heard  something  about  the  doctrine  of  Universalism :  it 
pleased  him  well,  and  all  he  needed  now  was  to  bring 
himself  fully  to  believe  it.  The  lesson  was  a  difficult 
one  to  learn.  At  that  period  no  Universalist  had  ever 
preached  in  the  place,  and  but  few  of  the  citizens  knew 
anything  about  their  doctrines.  This,  however,  was 
not  long  after  Messrs.  Kidwell  &  Waldo  had  commenced 
the  publication,  in  Cincinnati,  of  a  periodical  advocating 
the  peculiar  views  of  that  deluded  sect.  .  .  .  He  suc¬ 
ceeded  in  procuring  the  services  of  one  of  the  editors; 
but  I  do  not  recollect  which  of  them  it  was  that  came 
home  with  him.  It  was  publicly  announced  that  he 
would  preach  in  the  old  frame  schoolhouse,  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  town,  on  Main-street.  .  .  .  The  object  of  the 
speaker  was  to  show  that  Jesus  Christ  would  destroy 
all  “partialism,”  or  the  doctrines  taught  by  the  orthodox 
churches,  and  that  he  would  finally  raise  all  mankind  to 
a  state  of  holiness  and  happiness  in  the  world  to  come. 
He  .  .  .  urged  his  congregation — which  consisted  only 
of  about  a  dozen  persons — to  embrace  the  doctrine  of 
universal  salvation,  and  give  up  all  unnecessary  anxiety 
about  the  great  future.50 


The  narrator  of  this  anecdote  adds  that  the  Captain 
eventually  killed  himself,  and  he  naturally  connects 
this  unhappy  fate  with  the  dangerous  heresy  of  Uni¬ 
versalism. 

Public  debates  occurred  frequently.  They  often 


58  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


continued  over  a  period  of  several  days  and  attracted 
large  throngs  of  people.504 

In  1838  Rev.  Robert  Smith,  a  Universalist  preacher, 
living  in  Mason,  Warren  county,  Ohio,  preached  every 
four  weeks  in  the  town  of  New  Richmond,  Clermont 
county,  Ohio.  He  frequently,  at  the  close  of  his  ser¬ 
mons,  challenged  any  orthodox  minister  to  meet  him  in 
debate.  Finally,  Rev.  Mr.  Atmore,  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  residing  within  about  three  miles  of 
that  place,  accepted  the  challenge. 

(Atmore  retired  in  the  middle  of  the  debate,  accusing 
Smith  of  ungentlemanly  bearing  towards  him.  Smith 
construed  this  into  a  victory  for  himself.  The  Metho¬ 
dists  put  forward  a  layman,  David  Fisher.  At  a  later 
date  Fisher  and  Smith  debated.) 

The  debate  was  held  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  which  was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity  dur¬ 
ing  the  whole  of  the  controversy.  Mr.  Smith  had  not 
such  a  smooth  road  to  travel  as  he  expected.  He  soon 
found  out  that  his  opponent  was  a  .  .  .  most  formidable 
controversialist.  ... 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  second  day,  our  attention  was 
diverted  from  the  debaters,  by  a  strange  request  of  the 
Rev.  D.  Parker,  who  resides  a  short  distance  above  the 
town  of  New  Richmond.  He  asked  permission  of  the 
moderators  to  preach  a  sermon  on  that  evening,  con¬ 
taining  his  peculiar  views.  He  then  remarked,  as  he 
occupied  “ middle- ground”  between  the  present  disput¬ 
ants,  he  thought  the  audience  ought  to  hear  him. 

(Gaddis  wished  to  debate  him  but  P.  replied  that  “he 
had  lost  all  taste  and  desire  for  public  controversy. 
By  vote  of  the  congregation  he  preached  “at  early 
candle-light.,,  The  debate  concluded  the  next  day. 
Fisher  pleaded  with  Smith  to  renounce  his  false  system 
and  embrace  the  only  way  of  salvation.) 


UNIVERSALISTS  AND  OTHER  SECTS 


59 


I  think  Mr.  Smith  was  then  powerfully  convicted  by 
the  spirit  of  God.  .  .  .  Not  long  afterward  (he)  .  .  . 
renounced  Universalism,  and  is  now  a  minister  among 
the  Campbeilite  Baptists. 51 

Some  of  these  discussions  were  not  confined  to 
force  of  argument,  as  these  illustrations  show: 

Shortly  after  this,  a  Mr.  Eaton,  a  Universalist 
preacher,  who  had  flourished  for  a  season  in  Newark 
and  Hebron,  etc.,  came  to  Somerset,  and  occupied  the 
court-house  in  his  fulminations  against  all  orthodoxy, 
and  especially  against  the  Methodists,  etc. 

On  a  certain  evening  when  we  were  returning  from 
sen-ice  in  the  Methodist  church,  during  our  revival,  we 
glanced  into  the  court-house,  between  ten  and  eleven 
o’clock  in  the  evening.  Some  one  of  our  friends  told 
Mr.  E.  that  Mr.  C.  was  present  and  wished  to  make  a 
few'  remarks.  On  this,  the  champion  in  the  judges’ 
bench  called  us  out.  .  .  .  Speak  w*e  must,  or  back  right 
off.  Well,  we  chose  the  first.  We  addressed  the 
preacher  in  particular,  and  the  rest  of  mankind  infer- 
entially.  The  ETniversalists  began  to  halloo,  “Time’s 
out !  time’s  out !”  We  replied  that  no  particular  time 
was  set  on  the  present  occasion.  Some  few  of  them 
pulled  off  their  coats  and  shouted,  “Pull  him  down,  pull 
him  down !”  About  a  dozen  of  females  were  in  the 
court-house  when  wTe  first  entered  it,  but  these  soon  dis¬ 
persed,  leaving  the  balance  to  do  the  best  they  could. 
While  we  were  addressing  the  audience,  every  one,  that 
wTe  noticed,  wras  on  his  feet.  Now  when  these  creatures 
had  taken  off  their  coats,  they  pressed  through  the  crowed 
to  take  us  down,  as  they  cried.  .  .  .  We  wrere  so  engaged 
in  thundering  at  Universalism,  that  we  paid  no  atten¬ 
tion  to  our  enraged  brothers,  till  one  of  them  came 
nearly  up  to  us,  but  close  to  our  feet  stood  one  of  our 


60  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


neighbors,  .  .  .  who  .  .  .  said  to  them,  “If  you  take  an¬ 
other  step,  I  will  send  you  to  the  place  you  affect  not 
to  believe  in.”  52 

A  certain  Universalist  preacher,  by  the  name  of 
Streeter,  came  on  from  the  east,  and  stopped  in  Lan¬ 
caster.  I  was  informed,  afterward,  that  he  was  a  back¬ 
slidden  Methodist  preacher.  He  commenced  a  violent 
attack  on  the  Methodist  Church.  M’Mehan  encountered 
him  and  put  him  to  silence.  They  held  a  public  debate 
in  the  court-house,  and  M’Mehan  evidently  gained  the 
victory.  Yet  the  enemies  and  schismatics  took  sides 
with  Streeter,  and  many  long  and  angry  debates  ensued. 
When  M’Mehan  came  round  again,  he  preached  in  the 
court-house  to  a  crowded  assembly.  After  meeting,  as 
he  was  retiring,  he  was  met  by  a  certain  Colonel,  who 
gave  him  some  very  insulting  language.  Unfortunately, 
M’Mehan  became  angry.  A  certain  Dr.  Smith,  standing 
by,  cried  out,  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  “Smite  him,  Johnny, 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  for  he  richly  deserves  it.” 
Johnny  laid  hands  on  the  Colonel,  but  did  not  strike 
him.  I  am  obliged  to  say,  that  this  controversy  did  not 
redound  to  the  glory  of  God,  or  the  benefit  of  Method¬ 
ism.53 

But  in  spite  of  occasional  violence,  the  arguments 
were  frequently  carried  on  without  malice  or  bitter¬ 
ness,  and  by  many  were  considered  the  fairest  and 
most  honest  method  of  doctrinal  teaching.  Who 
gained  the  victory  in  these  debates  ?  Each  side  claims 
to  have  won.54  Yet  it  is  worth  while  to  note  that 
Universalists  were  ever  ready  to  take  the  offensive, 
that  through  these  debates  they  made  many  converts, 
and  that  the  old  unmodified  position  of  their  oppo¬ 
nents  is  seldom  openly  advocated  to-day. 


UNIVERSALISTS  AND  OTHER  SECTS 


61 


At  any  rate  the  orthodox  forces  were  more  or  less 
alarmed.  The  following  paragraph  is  based  upon  an 
article  in  an  orthodox  publication,  The  Home  Mis¬ 
sionary,  for  January  1844: 

The  talent  and  money  of  the  East,  and  the  men  of 
great  names,  are  sent  there  (to  the  Mississippi  Valley) 
to  indoctrinate  the  people  in  their  various  creeds.  To 
stimulate  to  greater  activity,  to  create  a  greater  energy, 
and  to  establish  a  wider  influence,  the  cry  not  long  ago 
was  raised  that  the  Catholics  were  overrunning  the 
great  West.  .  .  .  The  cry  of  the  alarmists  is  now 
changed,  and  Universalists  are  the  enemies  which  are 
to  be  ruthlessly  driven  from  the  land.  The  wTar  of  ex¬ 
termination  is  already  beginning  to  rage ;  and  the  East 
is  loudly  called  upon  to  rise,  arm,  and  send  out  recruits 
to  join  the  embattling  legions,  and  help  to  extirpate  an 
error  so  dangerous  and  licentious  as  the  doctrine  of 
God’s  universal  goodness,  mercy,  and  salvation.55 

The  situation  at  Fredericktown  a  few  years  earlier 
is  described  in  a  letter  signed  by  William  M.  Allen: 

Much  excitement  prevails  in  our  county  among  reli¬ 
gionists.  The  wThole  camp  of  orthodoxy  appears  much 
alarmed  at  the  rapid  strides  of  Universalism.  Scarcely 
a  Limitarian  priest  can  speak,  or  give  an  exhortation, 
without  fighting  the  doctrine  of  God’s  impartial  grace. 
“What  is  to  be  done?”  says  one.  “Oh  I  don’t  know 
brother,  but  we  must  do  something — I  trink  we  had 
better  get  Mr.  H.  or  some  one  to  debate  with  this  Davis, 
and  then  all  will  be  convinced  that  he  is  wrong.”  “I 
fear  not  brother;  I  think  this  will  only  agitate  the  ques¬ 
tion  more  and  more,  and  the  less  we  agitate  it  the  better; 


62  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


but  what  is  best  to  do,  I  know  not.”  This  is  a  fair 
sample  of  the  colloquies  a  bystander  may  hear  through 
the  county.56 

At  about  the  same  time  Eaton  was  having  its  excite¬ 
ment  : 


There  has  been  a  seven  days’  meeting  recently  got 
up  in  this  vicinity  by  the  Presbyterians,  for  the  express 
purpose  of  converting  the  poor  Univer  sadists  of  this 
place.  Great  efforts  were  made  by  the  divines  on  that 
occasion  to  effect  a  revival,  as  they  term  it.  That 
revivals  (in  the  orthodox  sense  of  the  term)  have  ever 
yet  in  any  one  instance  terminated  with  good,  is  for 
me  to  learn.  It  must  be  well  known  to  the  world  that 
children  are  not  calculated  to  repel  the  attacks  made 
upon  them  by  a  professed  minister  of  the  Gospel,  who 
comes  down  upon  them  with  the  shafts  of  vengeance. 
By  taking  such  advantages  and  resorting  to  other  means 
equally  undue,  they  have  frightened  and  brought  over 
to  their  hell-fire  system,  three  or  four  children.  I  at¬ 
tended  church  quite  steadily  through  most  of  the  meet¬ 
ing;  and  I  must  say  that  there  was  not  a  sermon 
preached  that  represented  God  as  a  good  being;  but 
on  the  contrary,  he  has  invariably  been  pictured  as  the 
most  malicious,  partial  and  unjust  being  imaginable. 
Hell  was  uncapped,  the  miseries  of  the  damned  set  forth 
to  view,  God’s  vengeance  invoked,  &c.,  &c.57 

Sometimes  the  conflict  took  a  form  which  was  not 
only  ethically  questionable,  but  illegal  as  well.  As 
late  as  1889  Rev.  J.  F.  Rice  was  attacked  by  a  small 
mob  in  a  private  home  at  Clyde.  An  incident  which 
occurred  about  1835  is  also  typical: 


UNIVERSALISTS  AND  OTHER  SECTS 


63 


When  the  Convention  was  adjourned  to  Ashland,  it 
was  expected  that  the  Methodist  meeting-house  would 
be  obtained  for  our  accommodation,  as  the  Universalists 
had  contributed  considerable  to  its  erection,  with  the 
express  stipulation,  that  it  should  be  free  for  the  occu¬ 
pancy  of  any  and  every  denomination  of  Christians, 
when  not  wanted  by  the  Methodists.  But  lo !  when  the 
request  was  made  for  its  use,  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  Convention,  it  was  denied  on  the  ground,  that  the 
Universalists  were  not  a  denomination  of  Christians ! 
.  .  .  They  undoubtedly  thought  their  denial  would  pre¬ 
vent  the  session  of  the  Convention  in  the  place.  But 
God  put  it  into  the  heart  of  Br.  Whiting,  a  citizen  of 
the  place,  to  build,  instantaneously,  a  house,  that  should 
answer  as  a  temporary  temple  of  worship  .  .  .  and  had 
it  in  readiness  for  our  reception  on  our  arrival.58 


Again  the  aid  of  the  law  would  be  invoked  by  one 
side  or  the  other.  The  first  of  the  following  illustra¬ 
tions  of  such  action  is  found  in  a  letter  written  by  a 
resident  of  Raymond,  Union  county,  in  1843,  and  the 
second  is  reported  by  Kidwell  as  having  happened 
in  1830: 

A  circumstance  has  recently  occurred  with  our  Meth¬ 
odist  brethren  here,  which  I  will  mention.  Rev.  Mr. 
Pryer,  one  of  their  circuit  preachers,  when  last  here, 
lectured  on  the  second  coming  of  Christ,  (he  is  a  Miller- 
ite  by  the  way)  when  Mr.  Griff en,  a  very  respectable 
and  intelligent  gentleman  of  this  place,  had  the  audacity 
to  take  notes  while  he  was  preaching !  This  so  frus¬ 
trated  the  reverend  gentleman  that  he  commanded  him 
to  desist,  alleging  that  it  disturbed  him,  &c.  Mr.  Grif- 
fen,  believing  in  “free  discussion,”  and,  I  suppose, 


64  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


thought  that  any  man  who  is  conscious  of  preaching 
the  truth ,  ought  not  to  be  disturbed  by  what  is  common 
practice  the  world  over,  continued  to  use  his  pencil  and 
note  down  the  heads  of  Mr.  Pryer’s  discourse.  Well, 
the  reverend  gentleman  was  so  exasperated  that,  on 
his  return  to  Richwood,  he  gets  out  a  warrant  for  Mr. 
Griffen,  and  takes  him  13  miles  from  home  before 
Esquire  Haines,  a  good  Methodist  brother,  who  fined 
him  $10  and  costs  of  suit,  although  Mr.  Griffen  plead 
‘‘not  guilty,”  and  established  his  plea;  and  that,  too, 
by  their  own  Methodist  brethren  who  testified  that 
“there  was  no  disturbance  except  what  the  Rev.  Mr.  P. 
made  himself.!”  But  “the  end  is  not  yet.”  Mr.  Griffen 
has  taken  a  transcript  from  the  esquire’s  docket,  which 
is  to  be  laid  before  our  Court  of  Common  Pleas  at  its 
next  session  on  the  18th  inst.  This  much  for  the  lib¬ 
erality  of  our  opposing  brethren  here.59 

Two  or  three  years  ago,  the  senior  editor  of  this  paper 
preached  in  Sydney,  Shelby  county,  Ohio,  to  a  large 
and  respectable  congregation ;  among  which  was  a  Meth¬ 
odist  and  a  Presbyterian  clergyman.  Each  of  these 
clergymen  took  the  liberty  to  contradict  the  speaker  in 
time  of  preaching:  The  speaker  observed,  “If  the 
gentlemen  will  use  good  manners,  when  I  have  gone 
through  with  my  remarks,  they  shall  have  the  liberty 
of  replying.”  After  some  time  these  reverend  gentle¬ 
men  became  quiet.  .  .  . 

Next  morning  a  warrant  was  issued  against  the  two 
clergymen,  on  the  complaint  of  some  of  the  citizens 
of  Sydney,  and  their  reverences  were  brought  before 
Esquire  F.,  a  Universalist.  The  Methodist  clergyman 
took  a  change  of  venue,  on  the  ground  that  Esquire  F. 
was  a  Universalist,  and  he  did  not  believe  that  they 
could  have  a  fair  trial.  The  case  was  taken  before  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  who  was  a  Methodist.  The  evi¬ 
dence  was  produced,  and  the  Justice  very  deliberately 
read  the  statute  imposing  pains  and  penalties  on  any 


UNIVERSALISTS  AND  OTHER  SECTS 


65 


person  who  should  interrupt  a  congregation  of  any  re¬ 
ligious  denomination,  in  the  time  of  worship.  ‘‘Stop, 
brother/’  cried  the  Methodist  clergyman.  “We  did  not 
consider  them  in  the  light  of  worshippers — but  we  con¬ 
sidered  the  meeting  last  night  in  the  light  of  a  ball."' 
“Well,  brother/’  said  the  Methodist  Justice,  “if  you  con¬ 
sidered  it  in  the  light  of  a  ball,  what  business  had  you 
there?” 

The  honest  Methodist  Justice  decreed  that  their  rev¬ 
erences  pay  a  fine  of  five  dollars  each,  and  the  cost  of 
prosecution.  The  Methodist  clergyman  being  a  man 
in  very  limited  circumstances,  the  money  was  raised 
by  the  Universalists  of  Sydney,  and  the  fine^and  cost 
discharged.  The  Presbyterian  clergyman  having  a 
better  salary,  was  left  to  the  mercy  of  his  church,  or 
to  pay  it  up  by  peddling  tracts  or  preaching  funeral 
sermons.  But  so  it  was,  the  editor  never  was  inter¬ 
rupted  in  Sydney  afterwards.60 

The  attitude  of  Universalists  toward  the  message 
of  the  other  sects  is  well  presented  in  these  lines  writ¬ 
ten  by  J.  H.  K.  of  Sheshequin,  Pennsylvania,  in 

i832:60a 

He  stood  by  the  altar,  a  being  of  gloom, 

With  a  visage  as  wan  as  a  ghost  from  the  tomb, 

And  he  lifted  his  voice,  as  a  messenger  sent 
To  make  the  unsanctified  sinner  repent. 

But  what  were  his  words?  Were  they  such  as  were 
spoken 

’Mid  the  wilds  of  Judea,  when  fetters  were  broken; 
When  the  poor  burdened  soul  burst  its  shackles  of  fear, 
And  rejoiced  that  the  kingdom  of  heaven  drew  near? 


66  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Did  he  preach  to  his  people  the  Gospel  of  peace; 

The  message  which  causes  the  mourner  to  cease? 

Did  he  melt  the  proud  heart  with  the  language  of  love, 
With  the  spirit  that  breathes  from  the  Changeless  above? 


Ah  no — nothing  like  it!  From  Sinai’s  scathed  height 
He  had  snatched  the  last  phial  of  wrath,  in  his  might; 
And  he  hurled  forth  its  contents  of  vengeance  and  ire, 
Till  he  made  every  hope  of  the  wretched  expire ! 


He  heaped  o’er  each  vision  thick  clouds  of  despair. 

Till  the  frozen  heart  sunk  with  its  half  uttered  prayer; 
And  then,  like  Morkanna,  he  turned  him  and  laughed 
When  he  saw  that  his  victims  the  poison  had  quaffed ! 

Ye — ye,  who  have  listened  to  preaching  like  this 
Till  ye  hung  (as  it  were)  o’er  the  pictured  abyss, 

Did  it  never  occur,  that  ye  possibly  might 
Have  been  led  by  a  preacher  deprived  of  his  sight? 

Come  away — come  away  from  the  Samiel’s  breath, 

It  bears  on  its  pinions  the  arrows  of  death ! 

It  will  wreathe  for  your  future  a  chaplet  of  care, 

’Tis  the  whirl  of  the  tempest — the  Lord  is  not  there ! 

Come  away !  for  as  well  might  ye  stand  on  the  verge 
Of  Etna’s  red  crater,  unharmed  by  its  surge; 

Or  as  well  might  you  drain  the  fell  dews  which  distil 
From  the  dark  Upas  tree,  unattended  with  ill. 

Come  away  to  the  beautiful  gardens  that  lie 
All  smiling  and  bright,  ’neath  a  soft  vernal  sky — 

To  the  fair  promised  land  where  the  waters  of  life 
Glide  smoothly  along,  unembittered  by  strife. 


UNIVERSALISTS  AND  OTHER  SECTS 


67 


Peace  dwells  in  its  border — the  penitent  one, 

Tho’  crimsoned  his  hands  with  the  deeds  they  have  done, 
May  find  a  sure  refuge,  from  guilt  and  despair, 

’Neath  the  banner  of  Truth,  for  Jehovah  is  there. 


CHAPTER  VIII 


THE  EXTENT  AND  SIGNIFICANCE  OF 
UNIVERSALISM  ABOUT  1840 

Early  Universalism  in  Ohio  was  a  propaganda 
rather  than  an  organization.  Its  disciples  went  out  to 
preach  their  conception  of  the  Gospel  and  were  com¬ 
paratively  indifferent  to  the  disturbing  cares  and  prob¬ 
lems  of  modern  church  life.  Fortunately  George 
Rogers  has  given  us,  in  the  rambling  account  of  his 
life,  a  concise  summary  of  the  condition  of  the  denom¬ 
ination  in  the  state  about  1834: 

Little,  comparatively,  or  to  little  visible  effect,  had 
been  accomplished  for  Universalism  in  the  West,  at  the 
period  of  my  first  acquaintance  with  it  in  1834.  The 
number  of  our  preachers  west  of  the  Alleghenies,  who 
gave  themselves  wholly  to  our  work,  did  not  exceed 
half  a  dozen.  Of  those,  William  H.  Jolly,  and  N. 
Wardsworth,  have  long  since  gone  to  their  rest.  Asher 
A.  Davis  has  removed  to  another  field  of  labor;  and  but 
T.  Strong,  A.  Sweet,  E.  Beals,  and  A.  Bond,  remain. 
Jonathan  Kidwell  had,  aforetime,  labored  extensively 
in  Ohio,  and  parts  of  Indiana;  but  the  influence  of 
years  was  upon  him,  and  he  had  well  nigh  ceased  from 
active  labors.  E.  B.  Mann,  also,  had  journeyed  over 
a  wide  portion  of  the  West,  and  had  scattered,  broad- 

68 


THE  EXTENT  AND  SIGNIFICANCE 


69 


cast,  our  publications  of  various  kinds,  and  he  yet  con¬ 
tinues  to  achieve  undoubted  good  in  that  path  of  labor. 

Of  meeting-houses,  owned  wholly  by  Universalists, 
there  were  but  three  in  the  whole  West,  and  they  were 
all  in  Ohio.  A  fourth  was  erected  at  Belpre  the  summer 
following  my  first  western  visit.  A  fifth  was  built  at 
Perrysburg  on  the  Maumee  River.  .  .  . 

But  the  feeble  showing  which  our  cause  made  in  the 
way  of  churches  and  ministers,  was  far  from  being 
its  most  discouraging  aspect.  There  was  also  an  almost 
total  absence  of  organization  in  the  West,  and  a  prev¬ 
alent  reluctance,  on  the  part  of  persons  professing  our 
faith,  to  come  into  any  kind  of  ecclesiastical  order. 
The  consequence  was,  that  our  people  were'  scattered 
like  sheep  without  folds  or  shepherds.  The  country, 
however,  was  comparatively  new,  its  civil  and  social 
state  did  not  present  the  regularity  and  order  which 
older  communities  are  apt  to  exhibit.  Moreover  .  .  . 
much  of  the  Universalist  preaching  in  the  West  had 
been  by  men  who  were  latitudinarian  in  their  views  of 
church  government:  they  denounced  the  paying  of  min¬ 
isters,  the  forming  of  churches,  the  adopting  of  creeds, 
the  coming,  as  they  termed  it,  “under  ecclesiastical 
trammels  of  any  sort.”  Well,  the  result  was — what 
every  body  experienced  in  these  matters  is  prepared  to 
be  told  it  was — one  preacher  after  another  was  starved 
out  of  the  field;  some  three  or  four  others  withdrew 
from  us  with  disgust,  and  attached  themselves  to  the 
Reformers.  Scarcely  any  societies  were  formed,  or 
meeting-houses  erected,  or  unity  of  action  to  any  useful 
ends  effected;  and  the  whole  struggle  for  gospel  truth, 
as  we  view  it,  would  probably  have  been  in  time 
abandoned,  but  that  the  above-named  devoted  men,  with 
the  aid  of  here  and  there  an  active  and  influential  lay¬ 
men,  labored  hard  to  keep  the  languishing  flame  from 
extinguishment. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  Universalism  in  the  west 


70  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


in  1834.  There  were  then  within  the  boundaries  of  the 
Miami  and  Ballou  Associations,  comprising  Cincinnati, 
and  thence  northeasterly  to  Chillicothe,  not  a  single 
meeting-house,  nor  a  single  preacher.  A  pork-house  in 
Montgomery  was  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  former 
at  the  time  of  its  formation.  No  building  more  re¬ 
spectable  could  be  obtained  from  the  courtesy  or  the 
Christian  kindness  of  the  citizens  of  that  village.61 

The  above  statement  of  affairs  was  written  about 
1848  by  one  who  had  been  active  in  transforming  the 
conditions  described.  Others  viewing  the  same  de¬ 
velopments  were  inclined  to  look  back  to  the  earlier 
years  as  exhibiting,  after  all,  more  desirable  qualities 
of  church  life.  Here  is  contrast  between  the  churches 
of  1812  and  those  of  1848: 

Plain  pulpit — clerk’s  desk  underneath,  rows  of  benches 
with  straps  for  the  back.  A  plain  looking  sexton  with 
a  bunch  of  keys  at  his  belt.  Congregation  rich  and  poor 
— no  distinction  or  partition.  They  assembled  together 
for  one  object — to  worship  their  God.  Their  minister 
was  a  lowly  follower  of  Christ.  .  .  .  Splendidly  covered 
pulpit — a  large  orchestra,  composed  of  twenty-five  sing¬ 
ers,  the  principal  ones  paid  by  the  year.  The  floor 
carpeted — silver  spittoons,  richly  bound  books.  Chande¬ 
liers,  of  the  most  exquisite  workmanship,  suspended 
from  the  ceiling,  and  superb  lamps  or  gas  pipes  fastened 
to  the  carved  pillars.  The  minister  perfumed  with  the 
otto  (sic)  of  roses  and  to  all  appearances  a  man  of  the 
world.  Bible  covered  with  red  morocco,  gilt  edges  and 
letters.62 


Such  statements  as  these,  however,  whether  in  praise 


THE  EXTENT  AND  SIGNIFICANCE 


71 


of  the  present  or  of  the  past,  do  not  suggest  to  us  the 
extent  of  Universalist  thought  nor  the  significance  of 
the  movement  in  the  lives  of  those  who  were  touched 
by  its  message.  It  so  happens  that  an  Ohio  historian, 
William  A.  Venable,  was  one  of  those  who  felt  this 
influence.  In  his  book,  “A  Buckeye  Bcyyhood,”  he  has 
given  a  personal,  sympathetic,  and  yet  critical  account 
of  the  inner  meaning  of  the  larger  faith.  When  one 
multiplies  this  case  by  the  hundreds  or  thousands  of 
individuals  whose  experiences  were  similar,  the  sig¬ 
nificance  of  Ohio  Universalism  is  more  easily  com¬ 
prehended. 

He  relates  that  his  mother  was  originally  a  Pres¬ 
byterian  but  had  become  a  liberal,  while  his  father 
had  forfeited  his  Quaker  birthright  by  his  marriage. 
There  were  only  two  churches  in  town,  the  Baptist 
and  Methodist,  neither  of  which  attracted  his  parents. 


Though  without  church  connection,  it  is  not  to  be 
inferred  that  they  were  indifferent  to  creeds  or  destitute 
of  religious  convictions; — on  the  contrary,  their  minds 
were  engrossed  with  theology  and  religion,  not  only 
on  their  own  account,  but  for  the  sake  of  their  chil¬ 
dren,  two  sons  and  three  daughters.  The  mother  felt 
that  it  was  a  reproach  to  her  that  she  did  not  “belong” 
to  some  accredited  religious  society.  The  recorder  of 
these  notes  remembers  hearing  her  tell  of  the  mortifi¬ 
cation  she  once  suffered  in  a  public  meeting,  by  the 
audacious  evangelist  Lorenzo  Dow,  who  exhorted  her 
to  make  profession  of  faith  in  the  Lord.  .  .  . 

These  (Jewish)  peddlers  always  found  a  meal  and 
a  bed  at  the  house  of  the  farmer,  who,  somewhat  to  his 
annoyance,  was  now  and  again  accused  of  giving 


72  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


countenance  and  harbor  to  “publicans  and  sinners/’  for, 
indeed,  he  confessed  that  he  could  never  quite  separate 
his  sympathies  from  his  antipathies,  but  was  always  find¬ 
ing  good  in  bad,  and,  alas,  a  trace  of  bad  in  the  choicest 
good,  under  whatever  label  it  came  to  him.  .  .  . 

The  boy  was  brought  up  in  conformity  with  Pres¬ 
byterian  traditions  modified  by  the  plain  and  direct 
simplicity  of  the  teachings  of  William  Penn.  He  was 
taught  to  say  his  prayers,  to  read  the  Bible,  and  to 
remember  the  Sabbath  day  and  keep  it  holy  in  a  certain 
perfunctory  manner.  There  was  no  Sunday  School  for 
him  to  enter,  but  he  was  permitted  and  encouraged, 
though  not  urged,  to  attend  whatever  religious  service 
was  accessible  to  him.  Any  form  of  worship  was  re¬ 
garded  as  better  than  none. 

It  may  well  be  doubted  whether  so  much  religious 
liberty  was  a  blessing  or  a  bane,  in  his  case,  considering 
that  he  was  keenly  alive  to  exciting  influences,  and  that 
to  his  susceptible  mind  an  admonition  of  spiritual  duty, 
a  half-comprehended  sermon,  or  even  a  threatening 
phrase  of  Scripture  often  brought  painful  disturbances. 

.  .  .  He  was,  as  he  conceived,  unquestionably  a  sinner, 
— the  chief  of  sinners; — he  had  every  symptom  of  total 
depravity.  He  was  one  of  those  whom  he  had  heard 
described  from  the  pulpit,  as  being  “hair-hung  and 
breeze  shaken”  over  the  mouth  of  the  bottomless  pit. 
The  worst  of  his  misery  was  that  he  could  do  nothing 
to  avert  his  doom,  however  correct  and  virtuous  his 
outward  behavior,  for,  as  his  Baptist  aunt  told  him,  by 
grace  and  not  by  good  thoughts  or  good  deeds  he  must 
be  saved,  if  saved.  Yes  he  was  lost.  John  Bunyan, 
in  his  darkest  hour,  never  waded  in  such  blackness  as 
surrounded  this  lonesome  farm-boy’s  spirit.  The  fear 
of  hell  gat  hold  on  him,  the  wrath  of  God  pursued 
him.  .  .  . 

He  sought  help  from  parents,  and  thinking  it  neces¬ 
sary  to  “believe,”  he  said  to  his  mother. 


THE  EXTENT  AND  SIGNIFICANCE 


73 


“You  and  father  are  good,  but  you  are  Universalists, 
and  some  of  our  neighbors  think  we  are  unbelievers. 
We  must  change  our  hearts,  we  must  be  born 
again  .  .  .” 

He  tried  to  get  converted  at  a  revival.  The  prayers 
and  hymns  touched  him,  but  the  confused  arguments 
and  extreme  emotionalism  repelled. 

The  natural  law  of  attraction  and  repulsion  acts  and 
reacts,  to  multiply  denominations.  It  is  not  surprising, 
therefore,  that  in  a  community  such  as  that  described, 
where  the  two  organized  church  societies  put  so  much 
stress  upon  the  fear  of  Cod  and  His  wrath  as  a  negative 
incentive  to  “getting  religion,”  that  there  should  be  de¬ 
veloped  an  opposing  principle  which  placed  great  em¬ 
phasis  on  the  love  of  Cod.  How  natural,  almost  inevi¬ 
table,  that  Orthodoxy  should  beget  Heterodoxy.  The 
reactionary  movement  in  the  theology  of  the  neighbor¬ 
hood  originated  among  a  few  Universalists  .... 

Perhaps  the  leading  spirits  in  the  reactionary  move¬ 
ment  in  the  Ridgeville  neighborhood  were  the  ex-Quaker 
farmer  and  his  ex-Presbyterian  wife,  father  and  mother 
of  the  unhappy  youth  who  was  always  seeking  the  true 
faith,  always  under  conviction,  never  convertible.  As 
it  was  necessary  to  procure,  in  advance,  subscriptions  to 
provide  for  building  a  suitable  house  of  worship  for 
the  protesters,  a  society  was  formed,  and  the  task  of 
drafting  a  constitution  was  delegated  to  Tip’s  father. 
According  to  this  document,  the  purpose  of  the  founders 
of  the  new  organization  was  to  provide  a  place  of  con¬ 
gregation,  and  a  kind  of  public  religious  instruction 
that  would  prove  efficacious  in  advancing  the  intellectual 
and  social,  as  well  as  the  moral  and  spiritual,  progress 
of  those  who  might  avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity 
which  it  offered.  In  order  to  prevent  misunderstanding 
in  regard  to  the  function  of  the  church  edifice,  the 
following  clause  was  inserted  in  the  constitution:  “Now 
be  it  distinctly  understood  that  said  house  shall  always 


74  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


be  open  and  free  for  all  kind9  of  religious  meetings 
and  for  other  purposes  .  .  ." 

Some  of  the  favorite  texts  were:  “God  is  love";  “As 
in  Adam  all  die,  even  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be  made 
alive’';  “He  shall  wipe  away  tears  from  all  faces"; 
“Ye  believe  in  God,  believe  also  in  me";  “When  thy 
father  and  thy  mother  forsake  thee,  then  the  Lord  will 
take  thee  up."  Each  service  was  a  love  feast;  the  in¬ 
tensity,  the  fervor,  the  spiritual  rapture,  which  accom¬ 
panied  the  ordinary  meetings  in  the  new  church,  were 
unexpected  phenomena  which  elicited  general  remark. 
Such  ecstasy  was  supposed  to  belong  exclusively  to 
Methodism.  Whatever  might  be  the  criticism  advanced 
to  the  liberal  theology,  no  one  accused  the  Universalists 
of  any  lack  of  devotion,  or  of  any  disposition  to  scoff. 

But  there  was  much  doctrinal  preaching,  much  pro¬ 
test,  much  challenge,  much  debate.  People  took  an 
absorbing  interest  in  textual  elucidation  and  proof,  and 
there  was  much  quibbling  as  to  the  original  meaning 
of  Hebrew  and  Greek  words  variously  rendered  in 
translation.  .  .  . 

To  the  boy  the  mental  and  spiritual  activities  in¬ 
augurated  by  the  new  society  in  its  relation  to  the  older 
ones  afforded  a  kind  of  Renaissance  and  Reformation, 
including  a  Revival  of  Learning,  for  he  became  so  much 
interested  in  the  discussions  he  daily  heard,  that  his 
personal  afflictions  of  soul  were  partially  forgotten  in 
the  healthy  business  of  observing  what  others  were 
thinking,  saying,  and  doing.63 


CHAPTER  IX 


HOW  UNI  VERS  ALI  STS  ORGANIZED 

The  tendency  among  early  Universalists,  as  George 
Rogers  pointed  out,  was  to  neglect  organization. 
However  this  does  not  mean  that  organizations  were 
not  formed,  for  in  Ohio  organized  Universalism  is 
about  as  old  as  the  message  itself.  But  these  earlier 
organizations  were  frequently  unstable  and  temporary, 
and  even  when  they  were  permanent  transacted  little 
business  other  than  hiring  a  preacher  once  a  year. 

In  New  England  the  custom  was  for  religious  bodies 
to  embrace  a  dual  organization — a  Society,  which  at¬ 
tended  to  legal  and  business  affairs,  and  a  Church, 
which  concerned  itself  only  with  spiritual  matters. 
Such  was  the  usual  form  of  Universalist  bodies  in  that 
section,  but  in  Ohio  no  uniform  plan  wTas  followed. 
The  earlier  groups  often  took  the  name  of  Society. 
Sometimes  both  Society  and  Church  are  mentioned. 
And  in  a  few  cases  one  Society  wrould  include  two  or 
more  Churches.  Gradually,  however,  Churches  and 
Societies  became  identical  and  the  dual  form  disap¬ 
peared,  the  resultant  organization  retaining  the  name 
of  Church.  At  first  it  was  common  for  a  Society  to 

75 


76  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


designate  its  location  by  the  name  of  the  county  or  by 
that  of  one  or  more  townships.  As  village  and  city 
life  became  more  prominent  these  names  were  sub¬ 
stituted. 

The  early  Societies  and  Churches,  with  the  excep¬ 
tion  of  a  few  of  the  cities,  rarely  had  preaching  more 
frequently  than  one  Sunday  a  month.  As  population 
and  wealth  increased,  the  more  progressive  communi¬ 
ties  ventured  to  have  sendees  two  Sundavs  a  month. 

j 

Only  in  quite  recent  years  have  the  rural  or  semi-rural 
churches  attempted  regular  weekly  services.  On  the 
other  hand  the  Churches  that  boasted  any  strength  at 
all  have  usually  filled  in  the  pastorless  Sundays  with 
meetings  of  some  sort.  In  the  earlier  days  perhaps 
a  competent  layman  would  lead  a  discussion  or  prayer 
sendee.  In  later  times  the  Sunday  School  has  served 
to  call  the  people  together  every  week. 

Two  examples  from  local  church  history  will  illus¬ 
trate  the  conditions  found  all  over  the  state.  The  first 
is  Eldorado;  the  second,  Belpre: 

Jonathan  Kidwell  was  the  earliest  preacher  of  Uni- 
versalism  in  this  part  of  Ohio,  so  far  as  I  know.  This 
was  the  voice  of  one  crying  out  of  the  wilderness.  He 
spake  as  one  having  authority.  He  was  clothed  as  simply 
as  one  of  the  old  prophets — a  red  flannel  roundabout 
and  jean  trousers  in  winter  and  home-made  linen  in 
summer.  The  people  heard  him,  but  only  a  few  heard 
him  gladly.  Among  the  few  was  Daniel  Dislier.  He 
gave  the  message  to  his  good  wife,  Hannah  Disher, 
and  she  was  anxious  to  hear  the  message  that  had  so 


HOW  UNIVERSALISTS  ORGANIZED 


77 


charmed  her  husband.  The  next  appearance  of  the 
prophet  was  eight  miles  from  the  Disher  home.  Mr. 
Disher  took  his  wife  behind  him  on  horseback  and 
through  the  almost  unbroken  forest  found  the  place  of 
meeting.  She  heard  the  good  news  gladly.  They  re¬ 
turned  to  their  home  with  the  great  desire  that  others 
should  share  with  them  the  blessed  hope  of  the  world’s 
salvation.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  movement 
resulting  in  the  organization  of  the  Church  in  1849. 
W.  Y.  Emmet  and  Henry  Gifford  were  in  the  field  and 
in  their  missionary  tours  always  found  a  hearty  welcome 
at  the  home  of  Father  Disher.  In  summer,  meetings 
were  held  in  the  barns ;  in  winter,  in  the  houses.29 

Sometime  in  April,  1823,  five  persons,  viz. :  Wm. 
Pitt  Putnam,  Oliver  Rice  Loring,  Bial  Stedman,  Mrs. 
Mary  Blizzard,  Mrs.  Katherine  Rathbone,  consulting 
together,  agreed  to  give  notice  for  a  meeting  to  be  called 
for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  Universalist  Church. 
Said  notice  was  given  and  in  May,  1823,  a  meeting 
was  held  ...  in  the  Brick  School  House  at  Center 
Belpre,  Ohio.  The  schoolhouse  was  situated  about  one 
mile  west  of  the  present  church.  The  present  home 
of  Will  W.  Watson  and  family  is  very  close  to  the  site 
of  the  old  schoolhouse.  .  .  .  We  find  the  following 
minutes  of  this  called  meeting  in  the  First  Book  of 
Records  of  this  church,  which  we  take  pleasure  in  giv¬ 
ing  in  full. 

“'Previous  notice  having  been  given,  a  number  of  the 
citizens,  professors  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  as  taught  by 
himself  and  his  immediate  followers,  the  Apostles: 
Assembled  in  the  Brick  School  House:  and  organized 
themselves  into  a  meeting  by  appointing:  Daniel  Lor¬ 
ing,  chairman  and  Wm.  Pitt  Putnam,  clerk.  After  some 
discussion  and  a  free  interchange  of  feelings  and  senti¬ 
ment  it  was  Resolved : 

That,  We  form  ourselves  into  a  social  religious  com¬ 
pact. 


78  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


That,  We  take  the  name  of  the  First  Universalist 
Society  of  Belpre. 

That,  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  draft  a  Constitu¬ 
tion  or  Articles  of  Association,  etc.,  for  the  adoption  of 
this  Society,  to  be  presented  at  their  next  meeting. 

That,  the  committee  consist  of  three. 

That,  Daniel  Loring,  O.  R.  Loring,  and  Wm.  Pitt 
Putnam  be  a  committee. 

That,  this  meeting  adjourn  to  meet  at  this  place  by 
permission  of  Divine  Providence,  whenever  the  Com¬ 
mittee  shall  be  prepared;  of  which  they  shall  give 
noticed 

With  what  diligence  this  committee  labored  or  with 
what  obstacles  they  may  have  met  and  overcome  is  not 
known,  but  the  report  made  by  them  was  adopted  Janu¬ 
ary  1 7,  1824.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  this  society 
(the  date  of  which  is  not  given)  it  was  Resolved: 
That,  when  the  society  does  not  have  preaching,  they 
meet  on  the  Sabbath  and  have  what  is  denominated 
Reading  Meetings.  R.  Gridley  was  appointed  leader 
of  these  meetings.  The  Society  had  had  occasional 
preaching  from  Elder  Asa  Stearns  of  Athens  county 
and  Matthias  Croy  of  Gallia  county.  So  the  early  mem¬ 
bers  did  not  “forsake  the  assembling  of  themselves  to¬ 
gether”  and  reading  meetings  were  continued  long  after 
the  passing  of  this  resolution. 

In  November  of  1826  Eliphalet  Case,  Jr.,  of  New 
Plampshire  came  and  preached  to  the  Society  on  Thanks¬ 
giving  day.  He  was  employed  to  teach  the  school  and 
to  preach  every  other  Sabbath  for  six  months. 

The  following  Preamble,  Profession  of  Faith,  and 
Articles  of  Association  were  adopted  in  1824  as  pre¬ 
sented  by  the  committee: 


HOW  UNIVERSALISTS  ORGANIZED 


79 


PREAMBLE 

As  Believers  in  the  sublime  doctrines  of  Christianity 
and  also  with  a  view  to  extend  those  benign  principles 
which  teach  mankind  to  love  God  with  the  whole  heart 
and  their  neighbor  as  themselves  and  with  gratitude  to 
our  Heavenly  Father  that  we  are  permitted  to  worship 
Him  according  to  the  dictates  of  our  own  consciences, 
looking  for  His  assistance  to  guide  and  direct  us  into 
all  truth, 

Therefore,  we  the  undersigned,  do  hereby  agree  to 
form  ourselves,  into  a  religious  compact  under  the  name 
of  The  First  Universalist  Society  of  Belpre. 

Professing  to  believe  in  the  Gospel  preached  to  Abra¬ 
ham  and  the  better  to  accomplish  the  same,  we  do  volun¬ 
tarily  subscribe  our  names  to  the  following  articles  of 
belief. 


PROFESSION  OF  BELIEF 

Article  ist.  We  believe  that  in  the  Old  and  New 
Testament  is  contained  a  Revelation  of  the  character  of 
God  and  of  the  duty,  interest,  and  final  destination  of 
man. 

Article  2d.  We  believe  there  is  one  God,  whose 
nature  is  love,  as  revealed  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by 
the  Holy  Spirit  of  Grace  who  will  finally  restore  the 
whole  human  family  to  holiness  and  happiness. 

Article  3D.  We  believe  that  holiness  and  happiness 
are  inseparably  connected  and  that  believers  ought  to 
maintain  order,  practice  good  works  and  not  forsake 
assembling  themselves  together  but  constantly  attend  on 
the  ministrations  of  the  word  in  all  of  which  duties 
there  is  great  reward. 


80  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


EXTRACTS  FROM  ARTICLES  OF  ASSOCIATION 

Article  4TH.  Any  person  may  become  a  member  of 
this  Society  by  manifesting  a  wish  to  live  a  quiet  and 
peaceable  life,  at  the  same  time  endeavoring  as  much 
as  possible  to  live  with  all  men  by  ‘‘doing  unto  others 
as  they  would  that  others  should  do  unto  them”  and  pay¬ 
ing  particular  attention  to  their  moral  character.  The 
committee  is  required  to  examine  anyone  offering  to 
become  a  member  by  putting  such  questions  as  they  may 
think  proper  and  reporting  to  the  Society,  and  if  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  present  be  in  favor  the  applicant 
shall  be  admitted. 

Article  5TH.  Should  any  member  be  overtaken  with 
a  fault  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  a  brother  or  sister,  as 
the  case  may  be,  becoming  acquainted  with  the  fact 
to  proceed  with  the  offender  in  the  form  and  manner 
prescribed  by  our  Saviour  in  Matthew  XVIII:  15, 
16,  17. 

Article  6th.  If  any  member  shall  express  a  wish  to 
withdraw  from  the  Society,  let  their  reasons  be  what 
they  may,  they  shall  have  liberty  to  depart  in  peace. 

The  following  Resolved,  That  the  committee  circulate 
a  subscription  for  the  purpose  of  raising  funds  for  the 
payment  of  preaching  and  that  we  invite  Elder  Asa 
Stearns  to  preach  for  the  laity  whenever  he  can  make 
it  convenient  and  that  he  be  paid  for  the  same  out  of 
the  funds  raised  by  subscription.64 

I 

The  next  type  of  organization  to  appear  was  the 
Association,  a  representative  body  composed  of  elected 
delegates  from  the  Churches  and  Societies  within  its 
jurisdiction,  and  usually  including  several  counties 
within  its  boundaries.  The  Associations  met  regularly 


HOW  UNIVERSALISTS  ORGANIZED 


81 


once  a  year,  and  sometimes  arranged  for  additional 
quarterly  or  semi-annual  conferences.  The  sessions 
afforded  those  from  the  weaker  churches  an  oppor¬ 
tunity  for  a  feast  of  preaching  by  the  several  ministers 
in  attendance,  and  were  also  factors  of  considerable 
importance  in  the  social  life  of  the  surrounding  coun¬ 
tryside.  Many  of  the  preachers  were  from  a  distance, 
and  broadened  the  horizon  of  their  listeners  by  infus¬ 
ing  the  atmosphere  of  different  localities.  The  interest 
developed  at  such  a  gathering  is  suggested  in  an  ac¬ 
count  of  a  meeting  at  Woodstock  in  1844,  at  which 
the  church  was  filled  and  “some  standing  outside  by 
the  windows,  with  umbrellas  over  their  heads  to  pro¬ 
tect  them  from  the  rain  which  was  pouring  down.”  G3 
The  fame  of  these  occasions  spread  beyond  the  bord¬ 
ers  of  the  state. 

It  takes  our  Ohio  friends  to  get  up  mass  meetings — 
they  think  nothing  of  gathering  fifteen  hundred,  two 
thousand,  and  sometimes  three  thousand  at  the  meeting 
of  an  Association.66 

The  session  of  the  Western  Union  Association  at 
Centerville  in  1830  was  reported  to  be  attended  by 
a  thousand  people.  Although  there  were  two  church 
buildings  in  town,  neither  was  available,  and  the 
services  were  held  in  an  open  field  with  the  “most 
profound  order.’7 

In  contrast  to  these  large  numbers,  the  legally 
chosen  delegates,  entitled  to  vote,  were  comparatively 


82  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


few,  sometimes  not  more  than  a  dozen.  But  often 
the  privileges  of  the  floor,  and  sometimes  the  priv¬ 
ileges  of  the  vote  were  extended  to  all  who  cared  to 
attend  the  business  sessions.  The  chief  responsibilities 
of  the  council  of  delegates  were  concerned  with  the 
licensing,  fellowshiping,  ordaining,  and  disciplining 
of  ministers,  and  the  fellowshiping  and  disciplining 
of  churches.  No  case  of  the  disciplining  of  a  church 
is  on  record;  and  churches  that  asked  for  fellowship 
were  always  granted  it.  Ministers  were  more  cau¬ 
tiously  treated.  As  each  Association  was  a  law  unto 
itself  in  these  matters,  much  confusion  arose.  Con¬ 
sequently  about  1865  tta  powers  of  fellowship, 
ordination,  and  discipline  were  removed  from  the 
Associations  and  placed  in  the  control  of  the  state 
Convention.  This  arrangement  proved  unsatisfactory 
to  many,  who  believed  that  this  weakening  of  the 
Associations  has  been  injurious  to  the  denomination. 

With  the  passing  of  legal  powers,  with  the  growing 
ability  of  the  churches  to  hear  preaching  at  home  in¬ 
stead  of  having  to  journey  to  an  Association  to  gain 
this  privilege,  and  with  the  increase  of  other  oppor¬ 
tunities  for  social  intercourse,  the  importance  of  the 
Associations  has  waned.  Their  sessions  have  largely 
become  program  and  discussion  meetings.  Some  of 
them  are  dead  or  dormant,  but,  on  the  other  hand, 
some  continue  to  exhibit  much  of  the  old-time  vigor. 

Following  is  a  list  of  the  Associations  of  the  state, 
showing  the  dates  of  organization  as  nearly  as  they 


HOW  UNIVERSALISTS  ORGANIZED 


83 


can  be  determined.  Their  boundaries  are  roughly 
indicated  on  the  accompanying  maps. 


1821 

Northern 

1821 

Richland 

1821 

Central 

c.  1821 

Western  Union 

1832 

Western  Reserve 

1833 

Washington 

1835 

Miami 

1835 

Murray 

1840 

Huron 

1842 

Montgomery 

1842 

Scioto 

1843 

Winchester 

1844 

Ballou 

1845 

Gallia 

1846 

Maumee 

i860 

Northwestern 

c.  i860 

Tuscarawas 

1901 

Sawyer 

Highland 

The  Central  was  also  called  the  Middle  Ohio. 
Samuel  Tizzard  lists  two  of  a  similar  name  in  1832 
— the  Central  and  the  Central  Ohio.  By  one  of  these 
he  may  have  intended  to  designate  the  Richland  As¬ 
sociation.  The  Northern  disappeared  after  1826  and 
the  Western  Reserve  replaced  it.  The  Northwestern 
is  sometimes  spoken  of  as  the  Northern,  but  is  not 
to  be  confused  with  the  earlier  of  the  same  name. 
The  Maumee  was  composed  of  churches  on  the  lower 
Maumee  River;  it  united  with  the  Huron  about  1848. 
The  Tuscarwarus  was  a  short-lived  organization.  The 


84  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Western  Union  originally  included  parts  of  Ohio  and 
Indiana;  after  about  1835  it  was  confined  to  Indiana. 
Uncertain  dates  in  the  above  list  are  marked  with  c. 

A  sketch  of  the  Western  Reserve  Association  will 
serve  as  a  typical  example  of  the  life  of  an  Association. 
It  was  organized  at  Newbury  on  September  9,  1832, 
voting  that  “we  consider  ourselves  an  independent 
body,  capacitated  to  regulate  ourselves  from  time  to 
time  as  we  see  fit.”  From  that  date  to  1913,  sessions 
were  held  nearly  every  year,  with  quarterly  confer¬ 
ences  during  a  large  part  of  the  period. 

At  the  first  session  it  was  resolved  that  “we  take 
the  Bible  for  our  Constitution,  and  make  it  the  rule 
of  our  conduct.”  But  in  1834  this  vote  was  apparently 
forgotten  and  a  formal  constitution  adopted,  the  pre¬ 
amble  of  which  ran  as  follows: 

Believing  in  the  divine  reality  of  the  Christian  Re¬ 
ligion,  and  the  utility,  importance,  and  necessity  of  the 
promulgation  of  its  sacred  truths;  for  the  moral  re¬ 
formation  and  salvation  of  the  world:  and  seeing  the 
necessity  of  establishing  suitable  order  to  promote 
mutual  cooperation  and  concentrate  our  energies  for  the 
accomplishing  of  any  desirable  object;  We,  the  Dele¬ 
gates  and  Representatives  of  the  several  Churches,  and 
Societies,  on  the  Western  Reserve  in  the  state  of  Ohio, 
assembled  in  annual  convocation,  in  the  town  of  Olm- 
stead,  County  of  Cuyahoga,  on  the  31st  day  of  May, 
1834,  do  adopt  the  following  constitution: 

Article  VI.  Provided  that  the  only  heresy  should 
be  the  “denial  of  the  authenticity  of  the  Scriptures 


HOW  UNIVERSALISTS  ORGANIZED 


85 


of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments/'  New  constitutions 
were  adopted  from  time  to  time,  but  the  changes  were 
of  minor  importance.  The  tendency  toward  central¬ 
ization,  shown  in  the  transference  of  ecclesiastical 
powers  to  the  Convention,  was  accompanied  by  a 
tendency  toward  democracy.  At  first  only  three  dele¬ 
gates  were  permitted  from  each  Society,  then  four, 
then  five,  and  finally  an  unlimited  number. 

Some  of  the  sessions  were  held  in  buildings  of  other 
denominations.  The  Methodist  churches  at  Geneva, 
Windsor,  Parkman,  and  Kent  and  the  Congregational 
church  at  Andover  are  mentioned  as  friendly  hosts. 

The  business  transacted  from  year  to  year  makes 
rather  a  fragmentary  tale.  Only  one  case  of  minis¬ 
terial  disfellowship  is  recorded.  Various  plans  were 
proposed  for  increasing  denominational  efficiency;  of 
these  may  be  mentioned  itinerant  preaching,  more 
regard  for  the  organization  of  Churches  and  Societies, 
and  for  the  maintenance  of  ministerial  discipline, 
more  regularity  in  holding  services  of  worship,  the 
organization  of  the  Home  Missionary  Society  of  the 
Western  Reserve,  the  promotion  of  Sabbath  Schools, 
holding  of  services  by  laymen  when  ministers  were 
not  available,  and  a  “campaign  of  reawakening.”  Fre¬ 
quent  action  was  taken  on  educational  matters,  com¬ 
mending  seminaries  and  later  contributing  to  the  or¬ 
ganization  and  financing  of  Buchtel  College.  There 
are  the  usual  resolutions  upon  subjects  of  general 
interest. 


86  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


The  Spiritualist  movement  depleted  the  membership 
of  some  of  the  churches  about  1856  and  the  standing 
clerk  of  that  year  informs  us  that  “the  blighting  influ¬ 
ence  of  infidel  philosophy  is  visible  on  every  hand.,, 

During  the  last  fifty  years  of  the  Association  the 
dominant  figure  was  that  of  Rev.  Andrew  Willson.  As 
long  as  he  lived  the  annual  meetings  were  regularly 
held,  but  shortly  after  his  death  the  lack  of  interest 
and  attendance  brought  about  a  vote  to  discontinue 
the  sessions. 

The  stories  of  the  other  Associations  differ  of 
course  in  detail,  but  in  the  main  the  course  of  events 
in  all  is  similar.  The  final  step  in  organization  was 
the  formation  of  a  representative  body  composed  of 
delegates  from  the  various  Associations.  At  first  this 
was  known  as  the  General  Convention  of  the  Western 
States  and  later  as  the  Ohio  State  Convention.  These 
organizations,  and  the  subordinate  state  organizations 
formed  under  their  auspices,  will  be  discussed  in  sub¬ 
sequent  chapters. 


CHAPTER  X 


THE  GENERAL  CONVENTION  OF  THE  WESTERN 

STATES 

The  parent  of  the  Ohio  Universalist  Convention 
was  a  more  inclusive  body  designed  to  embrace  all 
Associations  and  Societies  west  of  New  York  and 
Pennsylvania^  The  object  was  stated  to  be  “to  form 
a  combination  of  general  interest,  for  the  purpose  of 
extending  a  liberal  gospel  throughout  the  west,  by 
uniting  our  energies  and  influence.”  It  was  composed 
“of  ministering  and  lay  brethren,  who  are  known  to 
support  a  good  moral  character,  either  by  personal 
acquaintance  or  by  recommendations  from  persons 
with  whom  this  Convention  is  acquainted.”  Each 
Association  in  the  western  states  was  entitled  to  rep¬ 
resentation;  if  no  Association  existed  in  a  given  local¬ 
ity  five  brethren  could  appoint  one  or  more  delegates. 
Following  is  a  copy  of  the  minutes  of  the  first  session: 

Minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Convention,  held 
at  Jacksonburgh,  Butler  County,  Ohio,  on  Friday,  Sat¬ 
urday,  and  Sunday,  the  24th,  25th,  and  26th  days  of 
November  1826,  by  the  Brethren  professing  the  Abra- 
hamic  faith. 


87 


88  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Appointed  Br.  Wm.  D.  JONES,  Moderator,  and  Br. 
FINDLEY  MOORE,  Clerk . 

The  circular  letter  from  the  Brethren  of  the  Middle 
Ohio  Association,  convened  at  Franklinton,  Franklin 
county,  Ohio,  was  read. 

Appointed  Br.  J.  Kidwell  and  Br.  Joseph  Rabb,  a  com¬ 
mittee  to  meet  with  the  brethren  of  like  precious  faith, 
at  their  next  convention,  to  be  held  in  the  town  of 
Chillicothe,  Ohio,  in  September  next,  to  solicit  a  corre¬ 
spondence,  and  request  their  attendance  at  our  next  con¬ 
vention. 

Resolved,  That  our  next  Convention  be  held  at  the 
Union  Meeting  House,  two  miles  east  of  Franklin,  and 
eight  miles  west  of  Lebanon,  Warren  County,  Ohio, 
commencing  on  the  Friday  preceding  the  second  Sab¬ 
bath  in  October  next,  and  to  continue  three  days. 

Resolved,  That  Br.  S.  Tizzard  and  Br.  D.  D.  Hall,  be 
appointed  a  committee  to  draft  a  Circular  Letter. 

Friday,  N.ov.  24. — Forenoon  Service.  Sermon  by  Br. 
James  Aired — Luke  ii.  10,  <cBehold,  I  bring  you  good 
tidings  of  great  joy,  which  shall  be  unto  all  people  .” 

Afternoon  Service. — 1st  Sermon  by  Br.  Jonathan  Kid- 
well — first  Psalm  entire.  2nd  Sermon  by  the  same — 
Job  xxii.  21,  “ Acquaint  thyself  with  him,  and  be  at 
peace;  thereby  good  shall  come  unto  thee.” 

Saturday,  Nov.  25. — Forenoon  Service.  Sermon  by 
Br.  J.  Kidwell — 2  Cor.  v.  18-20,  “And  all  things  are  of 
God,  who  hath  reconciled  us  to  himself  by  Jesus  Christ, 
and  hath  given  to  us  the  ministry  of  reconciliation;  to 
wit,  that  God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto 
himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them;  and 
hath  committed  unto  us  the  word  of  reconciliation. 
Now  then  we  are  ambassadors  of  Christ,  as  though  God 
did  beseech  you  by  us:  we  pray  you  in  Christ’s  stead, 
be  ye  reconciled  to  God.” 

Exhortation  by  Brs.  D.  D.  Hall  and  F.  Moore. 

Afternoon  Service. — Sermon  by  Br.  Daniel  St.  John 


CONVENTION  OF  WESTERN  STATES 


89 


— Jude  7th  verse,  “Even  as  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  and 
the  cities  about  them,  in  like  manner  giving  themselves 
over  to  fornication ,  and  going  after  strange  flesh,  are 
set  forth  for  an  example,  suffering  the  vengeance  of 
eternal  fire.” 

Exhortation  by  D.  D.  Hall. 

Sunday,  Nov.  26. — Forenoon  Service.  Sermon  by  D. 
St.  John — Luke  xi.  9,  10,  “And  I  say  unto  you,  ask  and 
it  shall  be  given  you;  seek,  and  ye  shall  find ;  knock  and 
it  shall  be  opened  unto  you,  for  ev^ry  one  that  asketh 
receiveth;  and  he  that  seeketh  findeth;  and  to  him  that 
knocketh,  it  shall  be  opened.” 

Afternoon  Service. — Sermon  by  Br.  J.  Kidwell — Rom. 
v.  20,  21,  “Moreover,  the  lava  entered,  that  the  offence 
might  abound ;  but  vchere  sin  abounded,  grace  did  much 
more  abound;  that  as  sin  hath  reigned  unto  death,  even 
so,  might  grace  reign  through  righteousness,  unto  eternal 
life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.” 

Resolved,  That  the  Association  now  adjourn.67 

The  Western  Convention  exercised  an  influence  over 
a  much  smaller  territory  than  the  hopes  of  its  found¬ 
ers  included.  Parts  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  Kentucky, 
with  Cincinnati  as  a  center,  comprised  its  diocese. 
From  it  went  out  a  few  pioneers  into  the  more  remote 
Northwest  where  they  established  churches,  but  there 
is  no  evidence  that  these  churches  ever  maintained 
contact  with  the  Convention. 

“Brethren  professing  the  Abrahamic  faith/’  was  a 
favorite  phrase  used  by  the  early  ministers  and  stand¬ 
ing  clerks.  It  referred  to  the  promise  made  to 
Abraham,  according  to  Genesis  12  13,  that  “in  these 
shall  all  the  families  of  the  earth  be  blessed.”  Another 


90  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


was  “brethren  professing  the  Universalian  faith.” 
Like  the  early  Associations  the  sessions  of  this  body 
were  slimly  attended  so  far  as  actual  delegates  were 
concerned,  but  often  drew  large  audiences  from  the 
place  of  meeting  and  from  the  neighboring  counties. 

In  the  absence  of  church  buildings  owned  exclu¬ 
sively  by  Universalists,  the  Convention  often  met  in 
union  meeting-houses  or  in  those  belonging  to  other 
denominations,  when  such  could  be  obtained.  At 
Oxford  it  was  “Resolved:  that  this  convention  return 
their  sincere  and  unfeigned  thanks  to  their  Methodist 
brethren  of  Oxford,  for  their  very  polite  and  Chris¬ 
tian  conduct,  in  granting  the  use  of  their  church  for 
the  services  of  this  meeting,”  and  “that  the  same 
respect  and  gratitude  is  hereby  tendered  to  those  of 
our  Baptist  brethren,  who  manifested  a  willing  dis¬ 
position  for  us  to  occupy  their  church;  but  whose 
willingness  was  overruled  by  those  of  a  different 
disposition.”  The  Presbyterians  of  Mt.  Vernon  were 
later  thanked  for  similar  hospitality. 

A  matter  of  early  interest  to  the  Convention  was 
the  establishment  of  contact  with  Universalists  else¬ 
where.  In  1827  it  was  voted  that  “brothers  A.  H. 
Longley,  Isaiah  Hall,  and  Amaziah  Dodge,  residents 
of  Oxford,  Butler  county,  Ohio,  be  appointed  a  com¬ 
mittee  for  one  year,  to  correspond  with  brethren  of 
like  precious  faith  residing  in  different  parts  of  the 
United  States.”  At  the  following  session  Wm.  D. 
Jones,  of  Philanthropy,  was  appointed  a  committee 


CONVENTION  OF  WESTERN  STATES 


91 


to  correspond  with  the  London  (England)  Unitarian 
Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Christian  Knowledge 
and  Virtue,  and  directed  to  request  that  they  “com¬ 
municate  to  us  from  time  to  time  all  interesting  and 
useful  matter  which  may  come  to  their  knowledge, 
respecting  the  increase  of  liberal  principles,  in  the  old 
world  throughout  Europe,  Asia,  and  elsewhere,  and 
all  other  matters  they  may  deem  interesting  to  a 
society  of  people  who  are  searching  after  truth.”  Two 
years  later  Mr.  Jones  reported  the  reception  of  a 
number  of  books  and  pamphlets  from  the  London 
Unitarian  Society.  The  committee  was  continued,  and 
the  books  distributed  gratuitously,  except  a  few  which 
were  sold  to  defray  the  costs  of  importation. 

The  Constitution  adopted  in  1834  provided  that  one 
or  more  delegates  should  be  elected  annually  to  attend 
the  United  States  Convention  of  Universalists  (now 
called  the  General  Convention).  That  same  year  the 
first  delegates  were  chosen:  “A.  A.  Davis,  J.  Kidwell, 
F.  H.  Johnson,  and  N.  Wardsworth,  ministering 
brethren,  and  G.  R.  Brown,  W.  H.  Jolly,  C.  Rogers, 
and  T.  Strong,  supernumeries.  Lay  delegates,  E. 
Singer  and  W.  T.  Greenleaf,  Cincinnati,  W.  P.  Put¬ 
nam,  Belpre,  T.  Burr,  Mt.  Vernon,  J.  F.  Owen,  Nor¬ 
walk,  A.  Coleman,  J.  N.  Ayers,  Lexington.  Super¬ 
numeries,  W.  Conrad,  Franklin,  J.  Smith,  Westville, 
C.  Eaton,  Peru,  S.  Tizzard,  Philomath,  J.  L.  Gage, 
McConnelsville.” 

The  session  of  1834  also  saw  the  election  of  the 


92  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


first  treasurer  of  the  Convention,  W.  P.  Putnam  of 
Belpre.  The  Universalists  of  Kentucky,  Indiana, 
Michigan,  Illinois,  Tennessee,  and  other  parts  of  the 
West  were  invited  to  organize  themselves  and  send 
delegates  to  the  Convention.  At  the  same  time  Revs. 
A.  A.  Davis  and  Nathan  Wardsworth  were  requested 
“to  travel  extensively  though  the  Southern  States,” 
and  the  hope  was  expressed  that  '‘their  pecuniary 
wants  will  be,  by  the  friends  of  liberal  principles  in 
that  quarter  amply  supplied.” 

By  1837  the  adherents  of  Universalism  were  suf¬ 
ficiently  numerous  to  warrant,  and  sufficiently  inde¬ 
pendent  in  temperament  to  demand,  the  breaking  up 
of  the  Western  Convention  into  numerous  state  organ¬ 
izations.  The  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  Illinois  Conventions 
were  all  organized  in  that  year,  and  the  life  and  pur¬ 
pose  of  the  parent  merged  into  that  of  the  children. 


CHAPTER  XI 


THE  OHIO  UNI  VERS  ALIST  CONVENTION 

“The  Convention  of  Universalists  of  the 
Western  States,”  changed  its  name  in  1833  to  “The 
General  Convention  of  Universalists  of  the  Western 
States,”  and  again  in  1837  to  the  “Ohio  State  Conven¬ 
tion  of  Universalists.”  The  latter  was  in  reality  a' 
continuation  of  the  earlier  organization,  using  for  a 
time  the  same  constitution.  Amendments  and  new 
constitutions  have  been  adopted  from  time  to  time, 
but  with  little  change  in  the  essential  character  of  the 
organization.  The  function  of  the  Convention  was 
stated  in  the  preamble  adopted  in  1841 : 

It  is  desirable  by  all  proper  means  to  advance  the 
knowledge  and  influence  of  the  sentiments  professed 
by  the  people  called  Universalists,  as  followers  of  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Saviour  of  the  World,  and  .  .  .  there  should 
be  a  more  perfect  system  of  Government,  and  bond  of 
union,  and  means  of  inter-communication  among  the  dif¬ 
ferent  Societies  and  Associations  in  the  State  of  Ohio.” 

It  is  described  more  fully  in  the  Constitution  of  1853. 
The  object  is 


93 


94  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


“to  serve  as  visible  bond  of  Union  and  fellowship 
among  the  Universalists  of  the  State/’  to  regulate  rules 
of  ordination,  fellowship,  and  discipline,  and  to  “exer¬ 
cise  a  general  superintending  over  the  interests  of  the 
denomination  in  the  State.”  The  Convention  “disclaims 
all  right  to  prescribe  rules  or  formulas  of  faith;  but, 
recognizing  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  a  revelation  from 
God  to  man,  and  as  the  supreme  directory  in  faith  and 
practice,  it  accords  to  all  the  right  to  read  and  judge, 
independent  of  its  control.” 

The  Convention  was  originally  composed  of  minis¬ 
ters  in  fellowship  with,  and  lay  delegates  elected  by, 
the  Associations.  Since  1871  it  has  comprised  min¬ 
isters  in  fellowship  with  itself  and  lay  delegates  elected 
by  the  Churches.  It  then  became  known  as  “The  Ohio 
Universalist  Convention.” 

It  is  convenient  to  divide  the  following  discussion 
into  two  periods, — the  first  extending  to  the  close  of 
the  Civil  War  and  the  second  continuing  from  that 
point  to  the  present  time. 

The  minutes  of  the  Jacksonburgh  session,  quoted  in 
the  previous  chapter,  indicate  that  preaching  quite 
overshadowed  business  in  the  early  days.  This  situa¬ 
tion  continued  for  a  good  many  years  until  Rev.  W. 
W.  Curry  was  moved  in  1851  to  introduce  and  secure 
the  adoption  of  a  resolution  stating  that  “there  is  a 
lamentable  want  of  efficient  organization  in  our  de¬ 
nomination.”  A  Committee  on  the  State  of  the 
Denomination  in  Ohio  was  appointed,  whose  report 
resulted  two  years  later  in  a  resolution  to  seek  legal 


THE  OHIO  UNIVERS ALIST '  CONVENTION  95 


incorporation  and  in  constitutional  provisions  for 
standing  committees  on  the  State  of  the  Church,  Re¬ 
forms,  Education  and  Sunday  Schools,  and  Printing. 
The  plan  for  incorporation  was  carried  through,  but 
the  other  provisions  were  of  slow  development.  The 
standing  committees  were  frequently  absent,  or,  if 
present,  had  no  report  to  make.  Even  the  Trustees 
seldom  met  between  the  sessions  of  the  Convention 
for  the  transaction  of  business.  It  was  by  no  means 
unusual  for  the  treasurer  to  report  no  money  received 
during  the  year.  In  1849  each  church  was  requested 
to  give  ten  cents  a  member  toward  the  expenses  of 
the  Convention,  but  this  plan  brought  a  very  small 
return. 

The  religious  life  of  the  people  received  more  at¬ 
tention,  but  the  action  taken  was  often  indefinite  or 
not  followed  through.  In  1847  E  was  recommended 
that  Societies  form  themselves  into  Churches,  “adopt¬ 
ing  the  written  word  of  our  Lord  and  his  apostles 
as  the  church  creed  and  compact.”  Dissatisfaction 
was  expressed  in  1850  with  the  slow  progress  of 
Universalism,  and  the  delegates  pledged  a  greater 
devotion  of  time  and  money  “to  the  emancipation  of 
mind  from  the  thralldom  of  error.”  The  ministers 
were  appointed  a  committee  in  1862  to  suggest  the 
best  means  “to  promote  the  true  interests  of  the 
Christian  religion  in  our  denomination.” 

The  problem  of  a  ministerial  force,  adequate  in 
numbers  and  mental  equipment,  and  properly  sup- 


96  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


ported,  became  a  matter  of  concern  as  soon  as  pioneer 
conditions  were  replaced  by  a  more  stable  civilization. 
A  committee  of  laymen  to  suggest  the  means  “to 
secure  a  more  efficient  support  of  those  who  labor  in 
the  Gospel  Ministry,”  reported  in  1844,  but  their  re¬ 
port  was  not  accepted.  The  complaint  soon  arose 
that  many  ministers  had  left  for  the  East,  or  were 
engaging  in  secular  business,  because  of  inadequate 
salaries.  A  printed  address  was  prepared  for  circu¬ 
lation,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  raise  a  fund 
for  indigent  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  clergy¬ 
men  and  laymen,  and  for  the  relief  of  aged  and  infirm 
clergymen  and  laymen.  But  this  committee  did  noth¬ 
ing,  and  little  apparently  was  accomplished  by  anyone 
in  this  field. 


The  ministry,  and  especially  of  a  new  sect,  over  60 
years  ago,  offered  no  pecuniary  inducements,  and  as  a 
rule  those  inclined  to  enter  the  profession  were  not  in¬ 
fluenced  by  such  considerations. 

During  the  first  year  of  my  preaching  my  entire  re¬ 
ceipts  in  money  was  $96.  As  I  have  said,  I  paid  no 
board,  and  a  horse  was  furnished  for  my  travel.  My 
expenses  were  for  clothing,  of  which  but  little  was  re¬ 
quired  and  that  inexpensive  compared  with  present 
prices  (1907). 

In  traveling  one  would  mostly  stop  with  friends,  and 
the  occasional  bill  for  lodging  and  meals  was  small. 

Toll  on  turnpike  roads,  then  generally  owned  by  in¬ 
dividuals  or  companies,  was  a  considerable  item,  and  to 
avoid  this  is  was  nnt  unusual  to  take  a  longer  route  by 
a  dirt  road. 


THE  OHIO  UNIVERSALIST  CONVENTION  97 


Up  to  the  time  of  my  removal  to  Oxford,  I  do  not 
think  I  ever  received  so  much  as  $300  in  any  one  year; 
and  during  the  first  years  of  our  married  life,  your 
mother  and  I  lived  on  an  income  of  five  or  six  hundred 
dollars  a  year. 

I  never  was  exacting  of  a  church  in  the  matter  of 
salary,  requiring  no  promise  which  appeared  beyond  its 
means,  and  leaving  no  debt  against  it  when  I  left.  If 
all  the  salary  was  not  paid,  the  debt  was  cancelled. 67a 

In  the  second  period  of  the  Convention's  history, 
after  the  Civil  War,  the  denomination  was  filled  with 
a  new  zeal  for  activity,  and  gradually  plans  were 
worked  out  which  have  resulted  in  definite  programs 
of  work  and  responsible  officers  to  execute  them. 

The  most  important  development  has  been  the  de¬ 
velopment  of  the  policy  of  the  super  intendency,  by 
which  some  minister  is  appointed  to  that  office  by  the 
Executive  Boad,  and  charged  with  a  comprehensive 
oversight  of  denominational  interests  within  the  state. 
The  policy  of  the  “General  Agency  of  Universalist 
Churches  and  Sunday  Schools"  was  first  approved  in 
1867.  Rev.  S.  P.  Carlton  was  appointed  and  served 
with  such  success  as  to  be  commended  for  his  work 
and  to  secure  the  continuation  of  the  office. 

In  the  early  70’s,  however,  the  Board  failed  for 
several  years  to  appoint  an  Agent.  Rev.  E.  L.  Rex- 
ford  thereupon  moved  the  appointment  of  a  special 
committee  on  the  state  superintendency,  and  as  a 
result  of  the  report  of  this  committee,  the  Board  chose 
Rev.  N.  A.  Saxton  as  superintendent.  He  began  his 


98  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


work  in  February,  1875,  and  devoted  himself  largely 
to  the  placing  of  ministers  in  vacant  pastorates.  His 
first  report  deals  with  the  difficulties  of  the  office, 
which  he  ascribes  to  an  excess  of  the  controversial 
spirit,  to  rapid  changes  of  pastorates,  and  to  the  desire 
of  churches  to  secure  “big”  preachers. 

After  two  years  of  service  Saxton  left  for  new 
fields  and  Rev.  Andrew  Wilson  was  chosen  his  suc¬ 
cessor,  under  the  title  of  State  Missionary.  He  con¬ 
tinued  in  office  only  a  few  months,  but  reported  as 
having  assisted  in  several  revivals,  settled  pastors, 
received  five  hundred  members,  and  organized  five 
new  churches  and  two  new  Sunday  Schools. 

The  Board  next  attempted  to  secure  the  services 
of  Rev.  D.  C.  Tomlinson,  with  Rev.  B.  F.  Eaton  as 
alternate,  but  failing  both  these  men,  they  appointed 
W.  C.  Brooks  at  a  salary  of  $1200.  His  report  also 
discussed  the  difficulties  of  the  office:  the  superintend¬ 
ent  must  raise  his  own  salary,  and  many  Universalists 
refuse  to  support  the  plan  or  engage  in  any  kind  of 
cooperative  action. 

In  1879  it  was  voted  to  enlarge  the  powers  and 
duties  of  the  Secretary  to  include  the  Superintendency, 
and  to  make  the  term  of  office  three  years.  Rev.  T.  C. 
Druley  was  thereupon  elected,  at  a  salary  of  $800. 
His  report  the  following  year  is  the  most  complete 
and  businesslike  entry  upon  the  minutes  up  to  this 
time. 

During  all  these  years  the  opponents  of  the  super- 


THE  OHIO  UNIVERSALIST'  CONVENTION  99 


intendency  had  been  active.  Shortly  after  the  close 
of  Mr.  Druley’s  term  they  were  able  to  vote  down  a 
resolution  providing  for  the  continuance  of  the  state 
missionary  work  on  the  plans  heretofore  adopted. 
The  Board  then  arranged  to  appoint  a  Financial  Agent 
to  raise  a  Permanent  Fund,  but  were  unfortunate  in 
their  choices,  as  the  first  appointee  worked  for  only 
one  and  a  half  days  and  the  second,  Rev.  H.  F.  Miller, 
died  shortly  after  accepting  the  office. 

Buchtel  College  now  came  forward  with  a  propo¬ 
sition  that  the  College  and  the  Convention  employ 
a  joint  financial  agent.  The  Board  accepted  and  pro¬ 
vided  that  his  “first  business  shall  be  to  secure  money 
for  the  Permanent  Missionary  Fund  and  who  shall 
also  work  for  the  interests  of  the  College.”  The 
expenses  and  the  salary  of  $150x3  were  to  be  equally 
divided  between  the  two  employers.  Rev.  Andrew 
Wilson  declining,  the  appointment  went  to  Rev.  Henry 
Canfield.  The  above  terms  of  the  arrangement  did 
not  long  prove  satisfactory  to  the  College,  and  there¬ 
after  for  several  years  Dr.  Canfield  was  employed 
exclusively  by  the  Convention. 

In  his  report  for  1887  he  states  that  of  the  58 
counties  of  the  state,  46  had  no  active  Universalist 
Church,  25  had  one  each,  6  had  two,  7  had  three,  2 
had  four,  and  1  had  five.  Of  these  71  active  churches, 
6  only  had  full-time  preaching,  20  had  half-time,  18 
had  quarter-time,  and  27  had  occasional  services. 

The  work  of  Dr.  Canfield  gave  good  returns,  both 


100  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO  • 


religiously  and  financially.  But  in  1893  it  was  felt 
that  money  conditions  made  retrenchment  necessary, 
and  he  continued  to  give  only  a  part  of  his  time  to 
the  office.  Finally,  the  Board  left  the  position  vacant, 
the  secretary,  Rev.  J.  W.  Henley,  discharging  such  of 
the  duties  as  were  necessary.  Opposition  to  this  ar¬ 
rangement  gradually  developed  strength,  and  the 
Board  was  finally  forced  to  make  an  appointment. 
Rev.  I.  W.  Cate  was  chosen  in  1898  and  succeeded 
the  following  year  by  Rev.  O.  G.  Colegrove  on  part 
time. 

For  several  years  during  Rev.  Colegrove’ s  term  as 
part-time  superintendent,  the  discussion  between  the 
Board  and  the  Convention  continued,  the  Board  claim¬ 
ing  that  the  office  could  not  be  properly  financed  on 
a  full-time  basis.  No  appointment  was  made  in  1906 
or  1907,  but  in  1908  Mr.  Colegrove  was  again  ap¬ 
pointed.  He  was  followed  in  1912  by  Rev.  R.  S. 
Kellerman,  after  which  there  was  another  vacancy. 
But  in  1915,  after  a  special  campaign  for  funds,  Rev. 
F.  B.  Bishop  was  chosen  to  serve  as  both  Secretary 
and  Superintendent,  and  the  Convention  now  appears 
to  be  definitely  committed  to  the  policy  of  a  full-time, 
salaried  official.  Rev.  I.  V.  Lobdell  is  the  present 
superintendent. 

Correlated  with  the  movement  just  described  is  the 
growth  of  the  Permanent  Fund.  In  1874  Rev.  J.  W. 
Henley  called  the  attention  of  the  Convention  to  its 
depleted  treasury,  its  unpaid  pledges  to  the  Murray 


THE  OHIO  UNIVERSALIST  CONVENTION  101 


Fund  of  the  General  Convention,  and  its  inadequate 
financial  system.  This  situation  led  to  various  reso¬ 
lutions  in  succeeding  years.  Churches  were  advised 
to  take  regular  Sunday  collections  and  apportion  a 
certain  percentage  to  the  Convention.  The  Board  was 
instructed  to  take  possession  of  and  sell  abandoned 
church  property,  and  hold  the  proceeds  in  trust. 
Finally  in  1878  it  was  voted  to  raise  a  Permanent 
Fund,  and  for  this  purpose  the  ministers  were  made 
a  committee  to  solicit  twenty-five  cents  from  each 
church  member.  This  somewhat  elementary  plan  was 
later  amended  to  include  the  securing  of  honorary  life 
memberships  in  the  Convention,  the  use  of  missionary 
boxes,  and  the  obtaining  of  bequests.  To  secure  a 
current  income,  assessments,  or  quotas,  were  levied 
against  the  Churches. 

The  success  of  this  campaign  was  aided  by  the  sale 
of  abandoned  church  property.  An  investigation 
showed  that  the  laws  of  Ohio  failed  to  satisfactorily 
cover  such  emergencies,  and  the  attention  of  the  legis¬ 
lative  codifying  committee  was  directed  to  this  matter. 
In  1887  after  an  experience  in  the  Miami  Circuit  Court 
with  the  Casstown  property,  Dr.  Henley  urged  the 
legislature  to  amend  the  laws  concerning  such 
cases. 

The  goal  for  the  Permanent  Fund  was  placed  at 
$5000  in  1882,  at  $10,000  in  1883,  at  $20,000  in  1885, 
at  $50,000  in  1911,  at  $75,000  in  1917,  and  is  now 
$100,000.  The  total  amount  now  reported  in  the 


102  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Fund  is  approximately  $66,000.  The  budget  system 
has  been  adopted. 

In  spite  of  the  greater  attention  given  to  business 
affairs,  more  specifically  religious  matters  were  not 
neglected.  That  “the  further  upbuilding  of  our 
cause  demands  a  more  positive  presentation  of  reli¬ 
gious  life  and  the  adoption  of  those  methods  of  reli¬ 
gious  culture  which  shall  bring  our  people  into  a 
deeper  experience  of  religion,”  was  the  conviction  of 
the  delegates  in  1873.  Missionary  topics  and  methods 
were  often  discussed.  In  1887,  upon  the  motion  of 
Rev.  C.  E.  Nash,  it  was  voted  to  appoint  a  committee 
to  arrange  for  a  series  of  revivals  during  the  coming 
winter.  This  plan  was  expanded  the  next  year  to 
include  all  pastorless  churches,  and  for  the  work  of 
evangelist  Rev.  Stanford  Mitchell  was  engaged  for 
part  of  two  seasons.  Again  in  1909  “systematic  and 
constructive  evangelism”  was  endorsed.  Since  1916 
the  Board  has  made  an  annual  appropriation  for  this 
work,  usually  in  the  neighborhood  of  $1000. 

The  improvement  of  the  lot  of  the  minister  has 
been  sought  by  various  means.  The  ministers  them¬ 
selves,  and  the  superintendents,  have  persistently  tried 
to  group  churches  in  permanent  circuits,  something 
after  the  Methodist  plan,  but  this  policy  has  never 
fully  succeeded.  A  ministerial  aid  society  was  organ¬ 
ized  and  incorporated,  and  proceeded  to  raise  funds 
for  the  relief  of  aged  and  disabled  clergymen.  This 
money  was  later  entrusted  to  the  administration  of 


THE  OHIO  UNIVERSALIST  CONVENTION  103 


the  Convention.  A  minimum  salary  of  $600  and  par¬ 
sonage  was  recommended  in  1908,  and  this  sum  has 
since  been  increased  to  $1200  and  parsonage. 

A  project  that  received  considerable  attention,  but 
ultimately  failed,  was  that  of  “securing  of  grounds 
for  a  place  of  resort,”  first  suggested  in  1881.  Foun¬ 
tain  Park,  near  Woodstock,  and  the  Fair  Grounds 
at  North  Lewisburg  were  seriously  considered.  The 
plan  was  to  form  a  stock  company,  purchase  the  prop¬ 
erty,  and  use  it  as  a  yearly  meeting-place  for  the 
sessions  of  the  Convention.  Through  opposition  and 
indifference  the  project  was  dropped. 

Educational,  social,  and  other  interests  of  the  Con¬ 
vention  are  discussed  in  subsequent  chapters. 


CHAPTER  XII 


EDUCATIONAL  INTERESTS 

Previous  to  1850  few  people  in  Ohio  had  any  con¬ 
ception  of  a  system  of  free  and  public  secondary 
schools,  such  as  is  commonly  found  to-day.  Com¬ 
munities  wishing  such  privileges  for  their  young 
people  were  obliged  to  equip  and  support  the  schools 
by  private  subscription.  The  Constitution  of  the  state 
permitted  the  incorporation  of  such  institutions,  and 
it  was  the  custom  of  the  legislature  to  pass  separate 
enabling  acts  for  each  school  to  be  established.  There¬ 
upon  a  stock  company  would  be  formed,  the  shares 
disposed  of  at  a  price  varying  from  five  to  fifty  dollars 
each,  and  trustees  elected.  The  school  would  be  called 
an  academy,  institute,  seminary,  or  sometimes  a  high 
school.  The  students  paid  tuition.  About  twenty- 
five  such  schools  had  been  established  within  the  state 
by  1830.68 

Universalists  felt  that  these  academies  were,  directly 
or  indirectly,  under  too  great  influence  from  the  par- 
tialist  churches,  and  that  the  teachings  and  religious 
environments  were  not  what  they  desired  for  their 
children.  The  Western  Union  Association,  therefore, 


104 


EDUCATIONAL  INTERESTS 


105 


at  its  session  in  1832,  took  steps  to  provide  a  seminary 
in  Ohio,  free  from  sectarian  influence.  Rev.  Jona¬ 
than  Kidwell  was  appointed  agent  to  choose  a  site 
and  raise  funds.  After  investigating  several  locations, 
it  was  decided  to  build  just  across  the  line  in  Indiana. 
In  September  Kidwell  reported: 

Several  propositions  have  been  received,  and  a  number 
of  sites  examined.  On  due  reflection  a  donation  of 
about  $6000  at  Mechanicsburg,  Union  county,  Indiana, 
has  been  accepted.  The  site  determined  on  is  situated 
about  fifty  miles  North  West  from  the  city  of  Cin¬ 
cinnati,  and  eleven  West  of  the  line  dividing  the  states 
of  Indiana  and  Ohio.  It  embraces  the  four  corners 
where  the  state  road  from  Eaton  to  Connersville,  and 
that  from  Centerville  to  Brookville  cross  in  right  angles, 
within  six  miles  of  the  national  road.  .  .  .  Upwards  to 
fifty  acres  of  land  in  all  are  obtained  in  the  donation. 
.  .  .  Upwards  of  twenty  students  are  already  engaged, 
and  no  doubt  five  times  that  number  may  be  had  by  the 
time  a  house  is  in  readiness.  Any  person  of  good  moral 
character,  and  who  can  come  well  recommended  as  a 
man  of  business  and  sober  habits  who  will  improve  a 
lot  immediately  and  open  a  house  of  entertainment  (as 
there  is  none  in  the  place)  can  obtain  a  good  building 
lot  on  easy  terms.  .  .  .  Good  mechanics  will  find  it  to 
their  interest  to  start  business  in  this  place,  as  they  can 
board  and  school  their  own  children.69 

The  general  character  of  the  enterprise  is  indicated 
by  the  subscription  papers  circulated : 

Whereas  the  Western  Union  Association  of  Univer- 
salists  have  passed  a  resolution  to  build  a  public  Semi¬ 
nary,  in  which  no  religious  creed  is  to  be  taught,  but 


106  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


simply  the  Arts  and  Sciences,  to  which  the  system  of 
Gardening,  and  the  Mechanical  branches  are  to  be  at¬ 
tached — and  whereas  the  site  of  said  Seminary  has  been 
established  at  Mechanicsburg,  Union  county,  Indiana, 
on  a  donation  of  six  thousand  dollars: — Therefore,  for 
the  encouragement  of  said  institution,  We,  whose 
names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  do  bind  ourselves,  our 
heirs,  &c.,  to  pay  unto  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  said 
Seminary,  or  their  successors  in  office,  or  to  their  agent, 
legally  appointed,  the  several  sums  annexed  to  our  sev¬ 
eral  names,  in  ten  equal  annual  installments;  the  first 
installment  to  be  paid  on  the  4th  of  July,  1833,  and 
one-tenth  on  each  succeeding  July,  until  the  whole  of 
the  ten  equal  installments  are  paid.70 

Students  were  to  labor  a  part  of  each  day  in  the  shop 
and  garden,  and  thus  be  self-supporting.  The  girls 
were  to  study  “needlework.”  No  religious  creed, 
catechism,  confession,  or  dogma,  was  to  be  taught, 
and  no  clergyman  to  act  as  teacher. 

Kidwell’s  scheme  was  an  ambitious  one,  being  no 
less  than  the  establishment  of  a  Universalist  settle¬ 
ment.  He  and  J.  Adams  laid  out  the  town  in  1833 
and  named  it  Philomath.  Plans  for  the  school,  for 
business  enterprises,  for  a  press,  developed  rapidly. 
The  legislature  of  Indiana  passed  the  act  to  incorpo¬ 
rate  the  academy,  which  was  named  Western  Union 
Seminary.  At  the  suggestion  of  the  Western  Union 
Association  the  power  to  elect  trustees  was  trans¬ 
ferred  to  the  General  Convention  of  the  Western 
States.  Kidwell  continued  as  general  agent,  with  the 
privilege  of  appointing  sub-agents. 


EDUCATIONAL  INTERESTS 


107 


In  his  enthusiasm  Kidwell  became  personally  re¬ 
sponsible  for  the  payment  for  the  land,  and  his  col¬ 
lections  were  insufficient  to  cover  this  sum  and  the 
other  necessary  expenses.  The  Convention,  therefore, 
endeavored  to  extricate  him  from  this  difficulty,  pro¬ 
posing  to  try  to  collect  at  least  fifty  cents  from  each 
of  the  fifty  thousand  religious  liberals  supposedly 
residing  in  the  West  In  1835  a  report  showed  that 
the  total  expense  for  purchase  of  land,  hewing  and 
sawing  lumber,  teaming,  brick,  joiner’s  work,  and 
salary  and  expenses  of  agent  had  been  $2064.50,  of 
which  only  about  half  had  been  paid,  and  much  of 
that  with  borrowed  money. 

The  academy  was  opened  in  a  temporary  building 
about  1833,  with  Jacob  S.  Davis  as  principal,  who 
remained,  however,  but  a  short  time.  By  May,  1835, 
the  new  building  was  sufficiently  completed  to  be  used. 
It  was  30'  X  36',  three  stories  in  height,  and  accom¬ 
modated  one  hundred  students.  Among  those  em¬ 
ployed  to  teach  were  Charles  Elliott,  Professor  of 
Polite  English  and  Henry  Houseworth,  author  of 
the  “Federbian.” 

Then  we  came  to  Philomath.  Mr.  Owen  (Robert 
Dale  Owen)  had  evidently  some  knowledge  of  the  town, 
and  bade  me  take  special  note  of  it  as  we  tarried  here 
for  our  dinner. 

“This  town,”  said  he,  “was  founded  in  1833  by  the 
Universalists,  under  the  leadership  of  Kidwell,  and  a 
session  of  the  convention  of  the  Universalists  of  the 
Western  states  was  held  here.  Kidwell  and  Manford, 


108  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


of  whom  you  have  no  doubt  heard,  were  violent  oppo¬ 
nents,  and  Manford  once  sneeringly  remarked  that  it  is 
well  known  that  Philomath  has  been  for  a  long  time  the 
city  of  refuge  for  outcasts  of  the  Universalist  denomi¬ 
nation. 

“Kidwell  has  established  here  a  little  college  and  a 
press  for  the  dissemination  of  their  sentiments.  I’ll 
wager — wait  a  moment.” 

He  spoke  to  the  landlord  and  returned  in  a  moment 
smiling,  a  small  volume  in  his  hand. 

“I  thought  it  would  be  a  safe  wager  that  I  would  find 
in  our  good  landlord’s  possession  one  of  these  volumes,” 
and  he  held  out  to  me  a  small  book  which  I  examined 
curiously  and  one  of  which  I  presently  purchased  of 
Mr.  Kidwell  himself,  going  with  Mr.  Owen  before  the 
departure  of  the  stage  to  visit  the  press  and  see  the 
monthly  ‘'Philomath  Encyclopedia  and  Circle  of  the 
Sciences”  which  he  prints  there.  ...  I  thought  it  well 
worth  the  modest  sum  asked  for  it,  and  shall  enjoy  the 
surprise  of  my  Virginia  friends  when  they  see  a  book 
actually  published  in  what  they  consider  so  wild  a 
country.708 

Just  as  the  seminary  was  getting  on  its  feet  there 
arose  the  controversy,  referred  to  in  Chapter  VI.,  con¬ 
cerning  the  inspiration  and  authenticity  of  the  Pen¬ 
tateuch  and  the  necessity  for  accepting  the  miracles. 
This  had  a  disastrous  effect  at  a  time  when  united 
action  was  so  much  needed,  especially  so  since  Kid¬ 
well  was  in  the  minority  group. 

The  outcome  was  the  failure  of  the  seminary.  Kid¬ 
well  recounted  that  in  eight  years  he  had  personally 
“sustained  a  clear  loss  of  $2000  on  a  steam  mill ;  sunk 
more  than  $1000  on  the  Western  Union  Seminary; 


EDUCATIONAL  INTERESTS 


109 


paid  more  than  $1000  security  money,”  and  this  in- 
addition  to  $2000  unpaid  subscriptions  to  his  maga¬ 
zine. 

The  Convention  had  borrowed  money  for  the  school, 
and  seems  to  have  been  morally  responsible  for  the 
success  of  the  whole  enterprise,  but  after  several  half¬ 
hearted  attempts  to  meet  its  obligations,  it  voted  in 
1846  to  indefinitely  postpone  the  subject. 

Meanwhile  other  schools  were  established.  The 
Madison  Liberal  Institute,  Hamilton  county,  was  in¬ 
corporated  March  4,  1836.  The  Sharon  Academy, 
Medina  county,  was  incorporated  ten  days  later. 
Alvan  Dinsmore  and  S.  R.  Henry  were  among  its  list 
of  principals.  The  Universalist  Institute  of  Ohio  City 
was  incorporated  March  9,  1839.  Dinsmore  was  its 
first  principal,  leaving  there  to  go  to  Sharon.  The 
Western  Liberal  Institute  was  organized  at  Marietta, 
March  4,  1850,  and  flourished  under  the  leadership 
of  P.  R.  Kendall,  N.  Kendall,  Geo.  S.  Weaver,  and 
Miss  Acsha  Weaver.  There  may  also  have  been  a 
Universalist  school  at  Springfield.71  The  Convention 
and  the  Associations  voted  from  time  to  time  their 
commendations  of  such  liberal  seats  of  learning,  ‘'Tree 
from  the  trammels  of  spiritual  slavery  and  affording 
opportunities  for  the  free  and  general  education  of 
the  rising  generation.” 

The  thoughts  of  educators  now  began  to  be  turned 
to  the  needs  of  higher  education  and  the  establishment 
of  colleges.  There  were  already  forty-five  colleges 


110  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


in  Ohio  in  1850. 72  These  were  open  to  the  same 
objections  by  Universalists  that  had  formerly  been 
directed  against  secondary  schools.  After  several  at¬ 
tempts  to  organize  a  denominational  college,  a  meet¬ 
ing  was  held  at  Oxford  about  1857,  under  the  name 
of  the  Universalist  Collegiate  Association  of  Ohio  and 
Indiana.  Trustees  were  elected,  their  successors  to  be 
chosen  by  the  two  Conventions;  Rev.  W.  W.  Curry 
became  their  agent;  and  Oxford  was  chosen  as  the 
location  of  the  proposed  college.  But  soon  there  was 
considerable  dissatisfaction  with  this  site.  Sidney  and 
Hamilton,  Ohio,  and  Richmond  and  Liberty,  Indiana, 
were  all  rival  claimants.  The  Ohio  Convention  failed 
to  elect  trustees  and  within  a  few  months  Mr.  Curry 
resigned.  A  mass  meeting  was  held  in  Hamilton,  at 
which  the  question  of  site  was  reopened.  Fifty  thou¬ 
sand  dollars  were  to  be  raised,  and  the  subscribers 
were  then  to  elect  trustees  and  choose  a  site.  But 
these  plans  failed  to  materialize. 

Meanwhile  the  Universalists  of  Illinois  had  been 
successful  in  the  establishment  of  Lombard  College, 
and  to  this  institution  the  friends  in  Ohio  gave  their 
support  for  several  years,  without  giving  up  their 
dream  of  a  college  in  their  own  state.  Finally  in  1869 
the  Educational  Committee  and  the  Board  of  Trustees 
were  instructed  to  establish  a  school  whenever  a  suit¬ 
able  location  was  secured  and  the  requisite  funds 
pledged.  A  public  announcement  of  plans  was  spread 
over  the  state,  and  as  the  denomination  at  large  was 


EDUCATIONAL  INTERESTS 


111 


engaged  in  raising  a  fund,  known  as  the  Centenary 
Fund,  the  school  was  tentatively  named  the  Univer- 
salist  Centenary  School  of  Ohio.  It  was  decided  to 
raise  $60,000  as  a  Centenary  offering  in  Ohio,  $50,000 
of  which  should  be  for  the  school  and  the  balance  for 
general  denominational  purposes.  Rev.  H.  F.  Miller 
became  the  financial  agent,  who  defined  the  purpose 
of  the  founders  to  be  “for  the  education  on  equal 
terms  of  both  sexes,  and  for  the  preparation  of  teach¬ 
ers  for  our  common  schools.” 

The  first  site  considered  was  the  property  of  the 
Farmers’  College  at  Oxford,  but  this  was  found  un¬ 
suitable.  Representatives  from  Akron,  Mt.  Gilead, 
Kent,  Woodstock,  and  Oxford  presented  the  advan¬ 
tages  of  their  respective  localities  to  the  Board.  After 
some  further  investigation  it  was  voted  to  decide  upon 
Akron,  provided  that  $60,000  was  subscribed  by  its 
citizens,  or,  failing  this,  to  locate  at  Mt.  Gilead  on 
condition  of  receiving  $25,000  and  land  for  a  site. 

In  May,  1870,  came  the  announcement  that  Akron 
had  met  the  conditions,  and  soon  the  school  was  in¬ 
corporated  as  Buchtel  College,  in  honor  of  Mr.  John 
R.  Buchtel,  the  chief  donor.  The  Board  of  Trustees 
of  the  College  was  a  self-perpetuating  body,  electing 
its  own  members  from  nominations  made  annually 
by  the  Convention.  The  erection  and  furnishing  of 
the  building  was  rapidly  pushed,  and  soon  a  respect¬ 
able  body  of  students  was  in  attendance.* 

_  *  Fifty  Years  of  Buchtel”  by  A.  I.  Spanton  has  been  published 
since  this  chapter  was  written. 


112  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Financial  problems  were  pressing  from  the  start. 
Each  year  the  College  made  a  report  to  the  Conven¬ 
tion,  which  showed,  as  is  to  be  seen  in  the  following 
table,  how  the  resources  were  being  constantly  drained, 
in  spite  of  campaigns  for  funds  by  the  College  and 
the  Convention,  and  in  spite  of  generous  support  by 
Mr.  Buchtel: 


Year 

Gross  Resources 

Liabilities 

Net  Resources 

1876 

$25,000 

1880 

66,000 

1885 

$533,600 

47,300 

$486,300 

1890 

710,000 

82,700 

627,300 

1895 

598,200 

67,700 

530,500 

1900 

482,000 

35,700 

446,300 

1905 

456,700 

34,ooo 

422,700 

1910 

354»ooo 

33,ioo 

320,900 

Beginning  in  the  8o’s  it  became  the  custom  of  the 
Convention  to  appoint  a  visiting  committee  to  the 
College.  The  reports  of  these  committees  were  often 
merely  essays  of  praise  concerning  the  work  of  the 
school.  Occasionally,  however,  attempts  at  construct¬ 
ive  criticism  were  offered,  covering  such  points  as  lack 
of  adequate  supervision  of  rooming  and  boarding  con¬ 
ditions,  need  of  dormitories,  lack  of  alumni  spirit,  etc. 

A  subject  which  aroused  much  debate  was  that  of 
the  relationship  of  the  College  to  the  Convention. 
Delegates  to  the  latter  asserted  that  the  College  failed 
to  properly  present  Universalism  to  the  students  and 
that  few  of  its  graduates  were  workers  in  the  church. 


EDUCATIONAL  INTERESTS 


113 


The  College  officials  replied  that  the  churches  of  the 
state  not  only  had  not  given  the  College  adequate 
financial  backing,  but  had  also  failed  to  furnish  it 
with  students.  For  example,  in  1889,  of  the  total  128 
graduates,  only  8  had  entered  the  ministry,  and  3  of 
these  were  not  Universalists.  But,  on  the  other  hand, 
from  the  46  churches  of  the  state,  classed  as  active, 
there  had  come  in  the  previous  year  only  23  students. 

In  order  to  make  the  College  more  directly  serve 
the  Church,  it  was  proposed,  as  early  as  1876,  to 
establish  a  theological  department.  The  subject  was 
discussed  for  several  years,  and  some  money  given, 
but  not  enough  was  raised  to  make  the  plan  practical. 

The  provisions  of  the  Carnegie  Foundation  for  pen¬ 
sioning  retiring  professors  of  American  colleges  ex¬ 
cluded  from  its  benefits  those  institutions  which  were 
under  sectarian  control.  In  order  to  make  the  faculty 
of  Buchtel  eligible  to  receive  such  pensions  the  Con¬ 
vention  voted: 

Be  it  resolved  by  the  Ohio  Universalists  Convention 
in  regular  annual  session  assembled  at  Norwalk,  Ohio, 
this  6th  day  of  June,  1907,  that  this  convention  hereby 
authorizes  and  empowers  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Buchtel  College  located  at  Akron,  Ohio,  to  make  any 
and  all  such  lawful  changes  in  its  Articles  of  Asso¬ 
ciation  or  Charter,  as  said  Board  of  Trustees  may  deem 
wise  and  necessary  to  bring  Buchtel  College  within  the 
requirements  for  participation  in  the  benefits  and  priv¬ 
ileges  of  the  Andrew  Carnegie  Foundation  for  the 
Advancement  of  Teaching. 


114  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


A  few  days  later  the  Trustees  of  the  College  took 
the  necessary  legal  steps  to  amend  the  Charter,  which 
now  provided  that  no  denominational  or  sectarian  test 
should  be  applied  in  the  nomination  and  election  of 
the  trustees  and  officers,  nor  in  the  selection  of  teach¬ 
ers  and  students,  and  which  omitted  any  reference 
whatsoever  to  the  denomination.  The  College  and  the 
Convention  had  now  severed  their  technical,  organic 
connection,  but  it  was  generally  understood  that  there 
was  to  be  no  discontinuance  of  friendlv,  unofficial 
relationships,  and  that  the  purposes  of  the  founders 
were  to  be  sympathetically  carried  forward.  But  the 
declining  resources  of  the  College,  already  referred 
to,  and  the  inability  of  the  denomination  to  replace 
them,  made  further  changes  necessary.  After  consid¬ 
ering  various  possibilities  it  was  arranged  to  transfer 
the  property  to  the  City  of  Akron  as  a  Municipal 
University.  In  explanation  of  this  step,  the  following 
statement  was  made  by  the  President,  Parke  R. 
Kolbe : 

Much  sorrow  has  been  caused  throughout  the  Uni- 
versalist  denomination  in  the  Middle  West  by  the  new9 
that  Buchtel  College  has  been  taken  over  by  the  city 
of  Akron  as  the  nucleus  for  a  municipal  university. 
I  feel  that  a  candid  and  complete  statement  of  condi¬ 
tions  at  Buchtel  is  due  to  the  members  of  the  Univer- 
salist  faith  who  have  for  so  many  years  centered  their 
educational  interests  in  this  institution  and,  to  the 
extent  of  their  means,  have  given  to  her  support. 

Upon  my  inauguration  as  successor  to  President 


EDUCATIONAL  INTERESTS 


115 


Church,  I  found  the  following  conditions:  65  per  cent 
of  Buchtel’s  student  body  came  from  the  city  of  Akron, 
and  35  per  cent  more  came  from  the  immediate  vicinity. 
From  a  total  of  nearly  300  students  in  college  and 
academy  only  16  wrote  the  word  “Universalist”  on  their 
registration  slips  when  asked  for  their  religious  pref¬ 
erence — i.e.,  the  Universalist  denomination  of  the  State 
was  supporting  an  expensive  collegiate  institution  for 
the  benefit  of  16  of  its  members  and  incidentally  furn¬ 
ishing  educational  advantages  to  275  members  of  other 
faiths  mostly  residents  of  Akron.  Since  each  student 
paid  only  $75  per  year  in  tuition,  and  at  the  same  time 
cost  the  college  nearly  $150  per  year  to  educate,  it  is 
evident  that  the  undertaking  was  a  tremendous  one. 

I  further  found  that  the  attendance  at  Buchtel  had 
tripled  in  ten  years  and  was  growing  steadily,  the  in¬ 
crease  being  entirely  due  to  the  growth  of  Akron  and 
the  entrance  of  more  and  more  local  students.  In  the 
same  way  the  annual  running  expenses  had  increased 
in  ten  years  from  $25,000  to  nearly  $50,000.  Needless 
to  say,  the  annual  deficit  had  increased  proportionately. 
A  survey  of  the  meager  financial  results  of  the  unceas¬ 
ing,  patient  work  done  by  Dr.  Church  during  his  eleven 
years’  tenure  of  office  convinced  me  that  the  denomi¬ 
nation  would  find  it  increasingly  difficult — nay  even 
impossible — to  carry  the  financial  burden  imposed  upon 
them  by  Buchtel’s  local  growth.  This  opinion  was 
shared  by  the  Universalist  members  of  our  faculty  and 
trustees — in  fact,  by  all  who  were  closely  in  touch  with 
the  situation.  A  proposed  union  with  Lombard  had 
already  been  energetically  urged  by  Buchtel  as  a  logical 
solution  of  the  difficulties  of  both  schools,  but  rejected 
by  the  Lombard  trustees.  Only  two  courses  remained 
open,  either  to  gain  some  sort  of  permanent  financial 
support  from  Akron  itself,  or  to  close  the  college 
entirely.  The  latter  alternative  was  indignantly  rejected 
by  the  citizens  of  Akron.  The  splendid  success  of  the 


) 


116  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 

municipal  university  plan  at  Cincinnati  gave  a  directive 
toward  the  final  solution  of  the  situation.  On  August 
25th  the  Akron  City  Council  passed  an  ordinance  ac¬ 
cepting  the  offer  of  the  Buchtel  trustees  to  turn  over 
control  and  possession  of  the  institution  to  the  city, 
and — most  important  of  all — a  second  ordinance  levying 
a  tax  (which  will  amount  to  $55,000  the  first  year) 
for  its  support.  The  Buchtel  trustees  in  entering  into 
the  agreement  with  the  city,  have  carefully  provided 
that  the  city  must  carry  out  all  the  provisions  of  the 
various  funds  and  endowments  given  to  the  college  from 
the  time  of  its  foundation.  Thus,  for  instance,  all 
scholarship  and  annuity  obligations  will  be  as  conscien¬ 
tiously  administered  as  before.  Any  Universalist  family 
owning  a  scholarship  will  be  entitled  to  the  same  free 
tuition  privileges  as  was  formerly  the  case.  The  name 
“Buchtel”  will  be  retained  for  the  Liberal  Arts  Depart¬ 
ment,  and  “Buchtel  College”  will  become  a  part  of  the 
University  of  Akron,  just  as  Adelbert  College  is  a  part 
of  Western  Reserve  University.  Greatest  of  all  re¬ 
mains  the  fact  that  the  Universalist  denomination  holds 
and  always  will  hold  the  honor  of  having  founded  a 
great  and  growing  institution  of  learning.  And  just  as 
no  father  ever  begrudged  his  child  the  opportunities 
for  growth,  development  and  success,  even  though  the 
same  opportunities  called  him  far  from  home,  so  I  am 
convinced  that  the  Universalist  denomination  will  con¬ 
tinue  to  feel  the  same  pride  and  loyalty  toward  “Old 
Buchtel,”  their  creation,  as  in  the  past.72a 

A  statistical  comparison  recently  furnished  by  the 
Secretary,  C.  R.  Olin,  shows  that  the  change  has  been 
decidedly  beneficial  to  the  College,  and  the  Annual 
Catalog  indicates  that  the  city  of  Akron  has  faithfully 
carried  out  its  promises  made  at  the  time  of  transfer. 


EDUCATIONAL  INTERESTS 


117 


1912-13.  The  last  year  of  private  control. 


Total  expense  for  year .  $51,202.55 

Attendance:  College  .  175 

Academy  .  122 

-  297 

Faculty:  College .  18 

Academy  .  5 

.  -  23 

1921-22.  The  Municipal  University  of  Akron. 

Total  budget  for  the  year  .  $188,405.00 

Attendance:  College  .  437 

Engineering .  231 

Home  economics.  33 

Education .  88 

—  789 

Extension  and  evening  departments  1054 
Faculty .  54 


CHAPTER  XIII 


THE  ATTITUDE  OF  UNIVERSALISTS  ON 
QUESTIONS  OF  THE  DAY 

The  minutes  of  the  sessions  of  the  Convention  and 
of  the  Associations  contain  many  resolutions  upon 
subjects  of  a  general  interest  or  in  the  realm  of  applied 
Christianity.  The  following  quotations,  which,  unless 
otherwise  indicated,  are  from  the  Convention  records, 
will  indicate  the  trend  of  thought. 

The  subject  which  stands  out  most  pointedly  in  this 
field  is  temperance.  The  earliest  recorded  expression 
is  that  of  1834: 


Resolved,  That  we  deplore  the  intemperate  use  of 
ardent  spirits ;  and  recommend  to  our  brethren  that 
temperance  in  all  things,  which  becometh  the  professors 
of  the  Gospel  of  peace. 

Gradually  the  resolutions  grow  more  specific: 

Intemperance  is  a  great  evil,  bringing  poverty,  sorrow, 
and  destruction,  and  acts  as  either  a  direct  or  indirect 
cause  of  much  of  the  immorality  and  crime,  especially 
in  our  large  cities.  Universalists  should  give  their  in- 

118 


ATTITUDE  ON  QUESTIONS  OF  THE  DAY  119 


fluence  against  the  traffic  and  encourage  the  friends  of 
temperance.  (1852.) 

And  in  1872  prohibition  is  endorsed: 

Resolved,  That  .  .  .  (we)  pledge  our  hearty  coopera¬ 
tion  in  all  wise  and  just  measures  looking  to  final  pro¬ 
hibition  of  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  intoxicating 
drinks. 

But  the  more  stringent  resolution  introduced  the  next 
year  was  lost,  as  was  a  similar  one  in  1892: 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  friend  of  hu¬ 
manity  to  use  their  influence  and  cast  their  vote  for 
the  Prohibition  Party. 

In  1868  seven  delegates  were  elected  to  the  National 
Temperance  Convention  in  Cleveland.  But  in  1897 
the  Board  declined  an  invitation  to  send  delegates  to 
the  Anti-Saloon  League  Convention. 

The  army  canteen  was  described  in  1901  as  an  in¬ 
stitution  of  the  “United  States  Government,  by  which 
its  own  citizen  soldiery  were  lured  from  the  holy  in¬ 
fluence  of  home  and  religion,  robbed  of  manhood  and 
debauched  bv  drunkenness  and  its  associate  evils.” 

j 

Concerning  the  sacramental  use  of  alcohol,  it  was 
voted  in  1876  “that  this  convention  recommend  the 
discontinuance  of  intoxicating  wine  at  communion 
services,  and  the  substitution  of  unfermented  wine  or 
water  in  its  stead.” 


120  THE  UNIVERS ALI  ST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Attempts  to  exclude  those  engaged  in  the  liquor 
business  from  church  membership  have  failed,  as  in 
1876,  when  the  following  was  lost  by  a  vote  of  24 
to  28 : 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  the  several  churches 
of  the  state  that  they  adopt  and  enforce  a  rule  of  dis¬ 
cipline,  which  shall  exclude  from  membership  all  per¬ 
sons  who  are  guilty  of  this  crime. 

Associated  with  the  temperance  question  in  more 
recent  years  has  been  that  of  the  use  of  tobacco.  The 
four  following  resolutions  were  adopted  in  1884, 
1888,  1892,  and  1896  respectively: 

Resolved,  That  the  Universalists  of  Ohio  .  .  .  enter 
their  protest  against  the  use  of  Tobacco,  looking  upon 
its  use  as  an  evil  second  only  to  the  use  of  intoxicating 
liquors. 

That  the  use  of  Tobacco  shall  in  the  future  disqualify 
any  applicant  for  ordination  to  our  ministry. 

That  fellowship  is  now  henceforward  withheld  from 
young  men  and  women  candidates  for  our  ministry  who 
are  addicted  to  the  use  of  tobacco. 

That  no  person  should  be  employed  as  officer  or 
teacher  in  any  of  our  Schools,  Colleges,  Universities,  or 
Sunday  Schools,  who  is  addicted  to  this  vice  and  that 
fellowship  should  be  withheld  from  all  applicants  who 
are  addicted  to  this  habit,  or  who  do  not  give  satisfac¬ 
tory  proof  that  such  habit  shall  be  abandoned  at  once, 
and  during  their  entire  ministry. 


The  General  Convention  was  later  memorialized  to 


ATTITUDE  ON  QUESTIONS  OF  THE  DAY  121 


take  similar  action.  These  resolutions  were  passed 
over  the  remonstrance  of  some  of  the  older  clergymen 
who  insisted  that  the  female  customs  of  painting  and 
lacing  were  greater  evils.  And  it  should  be  further 
stated  that  these  injunctions  against  smoking  have 
not  always  been  obeyed. 

From  the  earliest  years  capital  punishment  was 
looked  upon  as  an  evil  especially  offensive  to  Univer- 
salists.  The  issue  was  clearly  stated  in  1845: 

Whereas,  the  infliction  of  Capital  Punishment  is  in¬ 
consistent  with  the  doctrines  of  Christ — the  requisition 
of  blood  for  blood,  in  the  first  dispensation,  having  been, 
in  our  opinion,  abolished  by  the  institution  of  the  Gospel 
Dispensation,  which  requires  us  to  render  good  for  evil 
and  to  overcome  evil  with  good — by  this  body  therefore 
be  it  Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  our  brethren 
everywhere  to  use  all  lawful  means  to  effect  the  aboli¬ 
tion  of  Capital  Punishment. 

And  two  years  later  all  ministers  were  to  preach  a 
sermon  on  the  fourth  Sunday  in  September  from  the 
text,  “Thou  shalt  not  kill,”  and  petitions  were  to  be 
circulated  and  presented  to  the  next  legislature,  asking 
for  the  immediate  abolition  of  the  death  penalty  and 
for  the  modification  of  penal  laws.  Prison  reform 
was  frequently  mentioned  in  this  connection. 

A  specific  situation  was  touched  upon  in  1880: 

Whereas,  There  is  now  confined  in  the  jail  at  Canton, 
Stark  County,  a  prisoner  under  sentence  of  death  who 


122  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


is  but  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  whose  execution  has 
been  ordered  for  the  25th  of  this  month,  Therefore 
Resolved,  That  this  Convention,  while  it  reasserts  its 
oft  repeated  conviction  that  the  continuance  of  the  cus¬ 
tom  of  capital  punishment  in  our  day  is  hostile  to  the 
spirit  of  our  common  religion,  hereby  records  its  judg¬ 
ment  that  the  execution  of  any  person  of  the  above- 
named  age  will  be  a  stain  upon  the  character  of  this 
Christian  commonwealth,  and  must  lower  rather  than 
raise  the  standard  of  our  civilization. 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  hereby  records  its 
judgment  that  the  Governor  of  Ohio  can  better  serve 
the  interests  both  of  justice  and  humanity  by  commuting 
the  sentence  of  death  in  this  instance  to  imprisonment 
for  life  rather  than  by  executing  the  penalty. 

Resolved,  That  this  expression  of  our  convictions  be 
placed  on  the  records  of  this  Convention,  and  a  copy 
be  sent  to  the  Governor,  Hon.  Charles  Foster,  Colum¬ 
bus,  O. 

Only  two  references  to  the  slavery  question  are  to 
be  found  upon  the  Convention  minutes.  In  1853  we 
read  that  “Brother  Moore  offered  Resolutions  on 
slavery,  which  after  some  discussion  were  laid  on  the 
table.”  In  1865  the  following  was  adopted: 


Whereas,  We  believe  that  the  cause  of  Christianity 
is  intimately  connected  with  the  cause  of  civil  liberty, 
and  just  government,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  heartily,  and  devoutly  thank  the 
All-wise  Disposer  of  events,  that  the  unholy  rebellion 
waged  for  the  last  four  years  against  our  Government, 
and  in  the  interests  of  Human  Slavery,  is  completely 
overthrown.  .  .  . 


ATTITUDE  ON  QUESTIONS  OF  THE  DAY  123 


But  the  General  Convention,  representing  the  Uni- 
versalists  of  the  United  States,  at  its  session  in  Akron 
in  1843,  adopted  the  following  resolution  with  only 
one  negative  vote.  No  southern  delegates  were  pres¬ 
ent: 


Resolved ,  That  we  rejoice  in  the  knowledge  of  the 
truth  that  the  doctrines  of  Christ  have  for  their  end 
the  holiness  and  happiness  of  all  mankind;  and  that  the 
faithful  inculcation  and  acceptance  of  those  doctrines 
must  lead  to  the  overthrow  and  extinction  of  all  insti¬ 
tutions,  observances  and  relations,  however  ancient  or 
firmly  fortified,  which  are  contrary  to  righteousness,  to 
human  well-being,  and  thus  hindrances  to  the  full  estab¬ 
lishment  of  the  true  and  glorious  kingdom  of  God  on 
earth. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  light  of  this  truth  we  feel  con¬ 
strained  to  bear  testimony  against  the  slavery  of  the 
African  race,  now  maintained  in  a  portion  of  our  coun¬ 
try,  as  contrary  to  that  gospel  which  is  destined  to  break 
every  yoke,  and  lead  captivity  captive ;  as  especially  sub¬ 
versive  to  that  golden  rule  which  teaches  us  to  do  unto 
others  as  we  would  that  they  should  do  unto  us ;  as 
contrary  to  the  plainest  dictates  of  natural  justice  and 
Christian  love;  and  as  every  way  pernicious  alike  to  the 
enslaver  and  enslaved. 

Resolved,  That,  regarding  the  whole  human  family 
as  in  the  larger  sense  brethren,  joint  heirs  with  us  of 
our  Father’s  love  and  the  immortality  of  blessedness 
revealed  through  our  Saviour,  we  are  constrained  both 
by  duty  and  inclination  to  regard  with  peculiar  sympathy 
and  affection  the  oppressed,  the  benighted,  the  down¬ 
trodden  of  our  own  and  other  lands,  and  to  labor  for 
their  restoration  to  the  rights  and  blessings  of  Freedom, 
Light,  and  Truth. 


124  THE  UNI  VERS  ALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Resolved ,  That,  while  we  regard  the  holding  in  bond¬ 
age  of  our  brethren  for  whom  Christ  died,  or  the  treat¬ 
ment  of  any  human  being  with  obloquy,  harshness,  or 
any  indignity  on  account  of  his  color  or  race,  as  con¬ 
trary  to  righteousness,  inconsistent  with  Christianity, 
and  especially  with  that  doctrine  of  Universal  Grace  and 
Love  which  we  cherish  as  the  most  important  of  re¬ 
vealed  truth,  we  are  well  aware  that  many  worthy  and 
upright  Christians  have  sustained  the  relation  of  slave¬ 
holder  in  ignorance  of  its  true  character,  or  from  ina¬ 
bility  to  relieve  themselves  therefrom;  and  while  we 
earnestly  entreat  all  Christian  and  especially  all  Uni- 
versalist  slave-holders  to  consider  prayerfully  the  nature 
and  tendencies  of  the  relation  they  sustain,  we  recom¬ 
mend  or  countenance  no  measures  of  indiscriminate  de¬ 
nunciation  or  proscription,  but,  appealing  to  the  gospel, 
to  humanity,  and  to  their  own  conscience,  we  await  in 
implicit  confidence  the  perfect  working  of  the  principles 
of  Divine  and  Universal  Love. 

Concerning  war  and  peace  much  action  has  been 
taken.  In  1863  came  the  statement  “that  we  re-affirm 
our  conviction  that  all  war  is,  in  its  inception,  con¬ 
trary  to  the  precepts  of  Christ  and  the  spirit  of  the 
gospel.”  The  Hague  Conference,  arbitration,  and  the 
ultimate  disarmament  of  all  nations  have  been  ap¬ 
proved.  During  the  European  War  the  only  Ohio 
minister  to  enter  the  service  was  George  H.  Welch, 
who  was  granted  leave-of-absence  by  the  Norwalk 
church,  and  served  as  Chaplain.  L.  Griswold  Will¬ 
iams,  shortly  after  leaving  Ohio,  entered  the  sendee 
of  the  Friends  Reconstruction  Unit  in  France.  Sev¬ 
eral  churches,  especially  those  under  the  influence  of 


ATTITUDE  ON  QUESTIONS  OF  THE  DAY  125 


W.  R.  Rowland,  contributed  to  the  welfare  of  service 
men  in  some  very  practical  ways. 

Other  subjects  mentioned  with  favor  are  church 
unity,  social  purity,  Roosevelt’s  investigations  of  in¬ 
dustrial  conditions,  abolition  of  child  labor,  equal  suf¬ 
frage,  public  health,  etc. 

The  old-time  revival  was  always  opposed  by  Uni- 
versalists.  This  news  item  appeared  in  an  eastern 
publication  in  1831.  More  recently  the  less  sensational 
methods  of  revivals  have  been  utilized. 

A  public  meeting  consisting  of  upwards  of  two  hun¬ 
dred  persons  was  held  in  Cleaveland,  Ohio,  on  the  sub¬ 
ject  of  revivals,  in  which  the  evils  of  such  excitements 
are  much  deplored,  and  the  movers  of  them  and  the 
means  of  carrying  them  into  effect  are  mildly,  but  plainly 
and  justly  reprehended.  The  meeting,  taking  revivalists 
at  their  word,  speaks  of  these  fanatical  proceedings  as 
part  of  the  general  plans,  now  in  progress,  to  unite 
Church  and  State.  They  appointed  a  committee  to  wait 
on  such  revivalists  as  may  visit  that  village,  and  invite 
them  to  permit  a  reply  to  be  made,  when  they  preach 
on  that  subject.  A  resolution  was  also  passed  appro¬ 
bating  the  exposures  of  revivals  and  revivalists  made  by 
the  Cleaveland  Herald.73 

Two  interpretations  are  placed  by  Universalists 
themselves  upon  this  record  of  the  denomination  in 
regard  to  reform.  Some  are  of  the  opinion  that  it  has 
taken  vert’  advanced  views  upon  these  matters,  where¬ 
as  others  feel  that  the  record,  while  good,  might  be 
made  better.  In  this  connection  an  extract  from  the 


126  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


report  of  the  Committee  on  Reforms,  prepared  in 
1867,  and  signed  by  Dr.  Canfield,  is  of  interest: 

It  is  well  known  that  a  great  many  movements  are  set 
on  foot  denominated  reforms,  which,  while  they  may 
claim  to  embody  something  of  the  spirit  of  Christianity, 
or  to  be  attempts  to  apply  its  principles  to  particular 
vices  or  evils,  are,  nevertheless,  carried  forward  in  some 
measure  independent  of  Christian  organizations,  and 
sometimes,  even  in  the  face  of  strong  opposition,  from 
religious  bodies.  .  .  . 

We  are  not  aware  that  our  own  denomination  .  .  . 
holds  any  attitude  toward  or  relation  to  any  of  these  out¬ 
side  reform  movements,  different  from  any  other  Chris¬ 
tian  bodies.  .  .  . 

In  nearly  all  these  movements  there  is  some  principle 
involved  that  is  not  to  be  blinked  out  of  sight  or  cov¬ 
ered  up,  by  parading  the  folly  or  the  fanaticism  of  those 
who  are  its  advocates.  In  so  far  as  these  reforms  are 
legitimate,  why  are  they  not  a  part  of  the  work  of  the 
Church  founded  by  Him,  the  first  word  of  whose  min¬ 
istry  was  reform?  .  .  . 

In  the  present  condition  of  things  each  church  is  anx¬ 
ious  to  maintain  caste,  and  to  wield  such  influence  as 
shall  tell  in  immediate  results  for  its  own  aggrandize¬ 
ment.  .  .  .  There  is  often  jealousy  and  coldness  on  the 
part  of  the  churches,  and  sometimes  open  opposition, 
until  success  makes  the  movement  popular,  and  then 
they  wheel  into  line  with  it.  .  .  . 

When  Chrisitanity  is  rightly  apprehended  and  made 
truly  practical,  much  of  the  noise  and  confusion  of  re¬ 
form  machinery  will  be  done  away  with.  But  the  spirit 
of  reform  that  seeks  to  instruct  the  ignorant,  to  help 
the  weak,  to  give  freedom  to  the  enslaved,  and  to  raise 
them  to  a  position  to  enjoy  and  profit  by  that  freedom, 
that  seeks  to  raise  all  human  beings  without  distinction 


ATTITUDE  ON  QUESTIONS  OF  THE  DAY  127 


of  color,  race  or  sex,  to  an  equality  of  privilege,  that 
seeks  for  the  causes  of  depraved  morals  and  depraved 
appetites,  and  strives  to  so  enlighten  mankind  as  to  set 
the  streams  of  life  running  in  better  channels,  this  is 
the  Spirit  of  Christ,  and  the  Church  that  ignores  it  for 
the  sake  of  any  present  popularity  or  gain,  will  finally 
go  to  destruction  as  it  ought  to. 


CHAPTER  XIV 


SUBORDINATE  STATE  ORGANIZATIONS 

Many  of  the  phases  of  church  life  which  have  come 
to  the  front  during  the  changing  years  have  often 
failed,  because  of  lack  of  time  or  sufficient  interest, 
to  receive  attention  at  the  sessions  of  the  Convention. 
Those  who  were  interested,  therefore,  have  organized 
various  groups,  of  statewide  jurisdiction,  but  subor¬ 
dinate  to  the  Convention,  to  care  for  the  special  inter¬ 
ests  which  had  aroused  their  concern. 

Growing  out  of  the  action  of  the  Convention  of 
1862,  a  conference  of  Ohio  ministers  was  called  at 
Mt.  Gilead  in  July  of  that  year.  This  became  the 
Ohio  Universalist  Ministerial  Association,  which  has 
since  usually  met  semi-annually.  It  has  afforded  the 
ministers  a  discussion  ground  for  general  policies  of 
the  church  and  as  an  opportunity  to  legitimately  pro¬ 
tect  their  own  interests.  The  funds  for  ministerial 
relief  were  temporarily  handled  by  this  body. 

Sunday  Schools  were  mentioned  with  approval  as 
early  as  1839,  and  the  friends  of  Universalism 
throughout  the  state  were  frequently  urged  to  estab¬ 
lish  them  wherever  possible.  A  Sunday  School  Con- 


128 


SUBORDINATE  STATE  ORGANIZATIONS  129 


vention  was  discussed  for  some  years,  and  finally  the 
organizing  session  was  called  for  October  17,  1866, 
at  Columbus.  Nineteen  of  the  twenty-four  schools 
of  the  states  sent  delegates,  a  constitution  was  adopted, 
officers  chosen,  addresses  delivered,  and  resolutions 
passed.  The  latter  provided  for  a  five-cent  per  capita 
tax,  and  recommended  normal  classes  and  the  use 
of  a  confession  of  faith  by  the  schools. 

Sessions  have  since  been  held  once  or  twice  a  year, 
and  have  been  utilized  for  the  discussion  of  methods 
of  religious  education  and  for  the  exchange  of  ideas. 
There  has  been  friendly  cooperation  with  the  interde¬ 
nominational  movement.  Recently  the  Convention 
has  employed  a  part-time  paid  secretary. 

In  this  connection  it  is  of  interest  to  note  that  the 
custom  of  observing  Children’s  Sunday,  which  origi¬ 
nated  with  the  Universalists  of  Massachusetts,  is 
claimed  to  have  been  introduced  into  Ohio  by  the  Rev. 
J.  W.  Henley.  In  1865  he  held  a  children’s  service 
at  Springboro  on  the  second  Sunday  in  June,  at  Mt. 
Gilead  on  the  third  Sunday,  and  at  Attica  on  the 
fourth. 

The  Women's  Centenary  Association  originated  in 
the  ’60s  to  aid  the  General  Convention  in  its  campaign 
for  $200,000.  Considerable  activity  was  exhibited  in 
Ohio  in  connection  with  the  canvass  for  Buchtel  Col¬ 
lege.  But  in  1889  only  a  few  women  in  the  state  were 
included  in  its  membership.  To  secure  more  efficient 
home  missionary  work  the  Ohio  women  organized  at 


130  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Akron  the  Women’s  Universalist  Missionary  Associa¬ 
tion.  Miss  Mary  G.  Webb  was  sent  to  organize  the 
women  of  each  church  into  alliances.  These  groups 
discussed  missionary  and  other  religious  topics.  The 
funds  collected  by  the  state  organization  have  been 
used  to  aid  the  churches  at  Cleveland,  Dayton,  Cuba, 
Eldorado,  and  for  general  home  and  foreign  mission 
work. 

The  year  1889  also  saw  the  organization  of  a  state 
Young  Peoples’  Christian  Union  and  of  many  local 
unions.  This  was  at  the  time  when  the  young  peoples’ 
movement  was  popular  among  SO'  many  of  the  de¬ 
nominations,  and  for  a  time  the  work  was  energet¬ 
ically  pushed.  Interest  is  still  maintained  at  many 
points  where  conditions  are  favorable,  but  in  general 
it  has  declined  in  importance,  although  since  1918 
there  has  been  a  revival  of  activity.  The  work  of 
the  Union  has  been  to  give  the  younger  life  of  the 
church  opportunity  for  expression  and  to  aid  in  the 
missionary  tasks  of  the  denomination.  It  has  served 
as  an  efficient  recruiting  agency  for  the  ministry. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  organize  the  men  of  the 
church  into  a  Laymen’s  League,  but  this  movement 
met  with  little  response.  In  very  recent  years  a  sec¬ 
ond  attempt,  using  the  name  “Universalist  Comrades” 
has  been  more  successful. 


CHAPTER  XV 


THE  LARGER  DENOMINATIONAL 
RELATIONSHIPS 

The  various  State  Conventions  united  at  an  early 
date  in  the  General,  or,  as  it  was  sometimes  called, 
the  United  States  Convention.  To  this  body  the  Gen¬ 
eral  Convention  of  the  Western  States  sent  delegates, 
thereby  acknowledging  itself  as  a  part  of  the  Univer- 
salist  denomination.  Ohio  has  probably  been  repre¬ 
sented  at  most  of  the  subsequent  sessions  of  the  gen¬ 
eral  body. 

In  1843  the  General  Convention  convened  at  Akron. 
Previous  meetings  had  usually  been  held  in  New  Eng¬ 
land,  and  never  west  of  New  York.  To  journey  so 
far  into  the  great  west  was  therefore  an  event  of  con¬ 
siderable  importance  for  those  who  came.  To  enter¬ 
tain  their  eastern  friends  properly  seemed  quite  a 
problem  for  the  Ohio  people.  Rev.  George  Rogers 
wrote : 

Our  friends  in  Akron  are  preparing  to  do  their  very 
utmost  for  the  coming  Convention.  It  is  doubtful,  never¬ 
theless,  whether  it  will  be  in  their  power  to  provide  for 
the  thousands  who  are  expected  to  be  present.  It  will 

131 


132  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


therefore  be  well  for  such  of  the  farmers  as  will  attend 
from  no  great  distance,  to  bring  provisions  with  them 
and  bedding  also — if  they  come  in  covered  wagons — suf¬ 
ficient  for  their  own  accommodation,  at  least,  if  not  to 
spare  for  others.74 

The  same  author  thus  describes  the  gathering: 

On  the  20th  of  September  of  that  year,  commenced 
the  session,  at  Akron,  of  the  United  States  Convention 
of  Universalists ;  this  was  the  first  time  that  a  session 
of  that  body  had  taken  place  west  of  the  Allegheny 
Mountains,  and  it  proved  a  season  long  to  be  remem¬ 
bered  by  all  who  were  present  at  it.  The  meetings  of 
the  occasion  continued  over  five  days,  and,  throughout, 
an  audience  of  not  less  than  five  thousand  persons  were 
in  attendance.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  order  that  was 
preserved ;  the  quietude  maintained ;  the  attention  given, 
both  within  the  church  and  without,  from  eight  o’clock 
each  morning  until — with  intermissions  for  refreshment 
— about  ten  o’clock  each  evening. 

To  accommodate  so  immense  an  audience,  so  that  all 
might  hear,  the  arrangement  was  perfect.  The  windows 
were  taken  out  of  the  north  side  of  the  church,  and  an 
enormous  tent-cloth  extended  on  that  side  over  an  ar¬ 
rangement  of  temporary  seats.  The  speakers  then  took 
their  stand  in  one  of  the  window-spaces,  where  a 
temporary  desk  was  erected,  and  thus  they  had  the 
audience  within  the  house  on  their  left  hand,  and  the 
audience  without  on  their  right. 

The  weather  was  warm  and  dry  throughout  the  term, 
so  that  there  was  no  choice  between  a  seat  out  of  doors 
and  one  within.32 

There  were  present  as  actual  delegates  i  from 


LARGER  DENOMINATIONAL  RELATIONSHIPS  133 


Maine,  3  from  Vermont,  5  from  Massachusetts,  2 
from  Rhode  Island,  1  from  Connecticut,  9  from  New 
York  (including  Horace  Greeley),  9  from  Pennsyl¬ 
vania,  9  from  Ohio,  2  from  Kentucky,  4  from  Illinois, 
and  5  from  Michigan.  In  addition  there  were  several 
clergymen  who  were  not  delegates :  4  from  Massa¬ 
chusetts  (including  Rev.  Hosea  Ballou),  15  from  New 
York,  1  from  Pennsylvania,  23  from  Ohio,  and  1 
from  Canada.  It  is  said  that  in  spite  of  much  dif¬ 
ference  of  opinion  unanimity  of  action  and  kind  feel¬ 
ing  prevailed. 

One  question  of  importance  to  Universalists  in  those 
days  was  the  form  of  church  government.  Some  con¬ 
tended  for  an  extreme  form  of  Congregationalism  or 
democracy,  whereas  others  wished  uniformity  and 
centralization  of  power  in  the  General  Convention. 
These  two  opinions  were  likewise  found  among  Ohio 
Universalists,  but  the  majority  was  of  the  latter 
opinion. 

Rev.  E.  M.  Pingree  was  appointed  a  committee  to 
circulate  the  following  resolution,  adopted  by  the 
Miami  Association  in  August,  1841: 

Whereas,  the  knowledge  of  God’s  impartial  grace  is 
now  extended  far  and  wide  throughout  our  land;  and 
there  is  not  a  uniform  system  of  Church,  Associational, 
and  Conventional  government  or  order  in  the  now  large 
denomination  of  Universalists:  and  such  a  state  of 
things  desirable:  Therefore,  Be  it  Resolved,  That  a 
Committee  of  one  be  appointed  to  address  a  Circular, 


134  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


through  the  “Star  in  the  West,”  to  all  the  Universalist 
Associations  and  Conventions  in  the  United  States,  ask¬ 
ing  them  to  instruct  their  delegates  in  the  General  Con¬ 
vention  of  Universalists,  to  propose  to  the  Council  of 
that  Convention,  when  met,  to  take  some  measures  for 
the  formation  of  a  Constitution  of  government  or  dis¬ 
cipline — either  by  Convention,  or  by  a  Committee  of  its 
own  appointing,  or  otherwise — which  may  be  adopted  by 
all  churches  of  Societies,  Associations,  and  Conventions 
in  our  land;  and  also  to  address  a  Circular  of  the  same 
import  directly  to  the  General  Convention,  soon  to  meet 
in  the  City  of  New  York.  This  Committee  shall  present 
in  these  circulars  the  reasons  which  force  the  convic¬ 
tion  on  the  minds  of  the  members  of  this  Council,  that 
some  such  general  system  is  absolutely  necessary  to  the 
greatest  progress  and  permanency  of  the  denomination 
of  Universalists.75 

These  reasons  were:  (i)  Societies  were  frequently 
formed  with  too  low  moral  standards,  (2)  Associa¬ 
tions  were  without  proper  regulations  in  regard  to 
ministers,  and  (3)  there  was  a  want  of  uniformity  of 
organization  and  concert  of  action. 

This  Circular  brought  results  and  the  next  year  the 
Ohio  Convention  put  itself  on  record  in  this  fashion: 

Whereas,  at  the  last  session  of  the  General  Conven¬ 
tion  of  Universalists,  held  in  New  York  City,  a  resolu¬ 
tion  was  passed,  in  reference  to  securing  a  greater  uni¬ 
formity  of  government  and  discipline  in  the  denomina¬ 
tion  of  Universalists,  and  a  committee  of  five  appointed 
to  draft  a  Constitution  to  be  recommended  for  the  adop¬ 
tion  of  Churches,  Societies,  Associations,  and  Conven¬ 
tions  in  our  order,  be  it  resolved,  That  we  fully  concur 


LARGER  DENOMINATIONAL  RELATIONSHIPS  135 


in  said  action  of  the  Council  of  the  U.  S.  Convention, 
and  earnestly  recommend  to  all  like  bodies  throughout 
the  land,  to  unite  in  bringing  about  a  state  of  things 
so  devoutly  to  be  desired. 

Whereas,  the  progress  and  good  influence  of  the  Uni- 
versalist  doctrine  and  denomination  depend  to  a  great 
extent  on  the  good  order  and  discipline  maintained  in 
the  denomination,  he  it  resolved,  That  this  council  most 
earnestly  urge  it  on  all  Associations  in  fellowship  with 
the  Ohio  State  Convention  of  Universalists,  as  well  as 
in  other  states,  to  maintain  a  strict  discipline  over  their 
ministers ;  and  also  recommend  to  all  the  believers  every¬ 
where  to  sustain  the  decisions  of  their  Associations  in 
cases  of  discipline,  and  especially  in  the  withdrawal  of 
fellowship,  as  well  as  to  all  ecclesiastical  bodies  in  the 
State — whether  Society  or  Association,  to  have  respect 
unto  the  like  action  of  bodies  everywhere. 

The  General  Convention  made  some  progress  each 
year  in  this  direction,  which  at  first  met  approval  in 
Ohio.  But  in  1845  a  different  note  was  sounded,  for 
the  Convention  voted  that: 

While  it  is  manifest  that  we  need  a  firmer  bond  of 
ecclesiastical  union,  and  more  concert  of  action,  it  is 
also  evident  that  great  precaution  is  necessary  in  con¬ 
fining  ecclesiastical  power.  While  we  deprecate  anarchy 
on  the  one  hand,  we  should  guard  with  jealous  care 
against  despotism  and  tyranny  on  the  other. 

The  committee  to  which  the  matter  had  been  referred 
held  that  the  proposed  plans  of  the  General  Conven¬ 
tion  were  too  general,  indefinite,  and  unrestricted.  It 
suggested  certain  modifications  based  on  the  idea  that 


136  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


“all  ecclesiastical  power  .  .  .  belongs  ...  to  the  be¬ 
lievers  in  common.”  One  suggestion  was  that  the 
General  Convention  be  prohibited  from  holding  any 
considerable  amount  of  property. 

Out  of  the  Civil  War  period  came  a  new  spirit  of 
unity  in  church  affairs.  Shortly  after  its  close  the 
plans  for  uniformity  and  transfer  of  power  to  the 
General  Convention  were  ratified. 

The  extreme  opponents  of  this  tendency  had  pro¬ 
posed  in  the  ’50’s  to  secede  from  the  General  Conven¬ 
tion  and  form  a  Western  Convention.  Ohio  Univer- 
salists  went  on  record  as  opposed  to  this  project,  feel¬ 
ing  that  closer  unity  and  sympathy  were  needed  rather 
than  division.  They  did  approve,  however,  the  for¬ 
mation  of  the  North  Western  Conference, — a  mission¬ 
ary,  educational,  and  inspirational  body  without  ec¬ 
clesiastical  power. 

This  Conference,  organized  in  i860,  embraced  the 
states  of  Indiana,  Illinois,  Iowa,  Michigan,  Minnesota, 
Ohio,  and  Wisconsin.  The  war  interrupted  its  pro¬ 
posed  activities,  and  attention  was  turned  for  a  time 
to  an  Army  Mission,  providing  general  ministerial 
labor  and  Universalist  propaganda  in  the  camps,  hos¬ 
pitals,  and  soldiers’  homes. 

The  purpose  of  the  Conference  was  stated  by  Rev. 
W.  H.  Ryder  in  1865: 

We  call  upon  Universalists  to  do  their  work,  to  build 
up  their  schools,  to  endow  their  colleges  and  theological 


LARGER  DENOMINATIONAL  RELATIONSHIPS  137 

schools.  .  .  .  Ecclesiastical  authority  we  are  not  ambi¬ 
tious  to  attain.  A  mere  organization  we  do  not  wish  to 
build  up.  We  desire  to  become  an  efficient  body  to  dis¬ 
charge  our  duties  as  a  Christian  people,  whether  to  the 
nation,  society,  or  to  the  religious  wrorld  with  prompt¬ 
ness  and  faithfulness.  .  .  .  Our  two  great  needs  are 
clearly  men  and  money™ 

Meetings  were  held  in  Cleveland  and  Cincinnati  in 
1866,  at  which  the  sums  of  $6688  and  approximately 
$4000  were  raised.  Of  the  total  of  about  $100,000 
which  was  secured  for  Lombard  College  perhaps  one' 
fifth  came  from  Ohio.  Additional  amounts  were 
raised  for  general  missionary  purposes.  After  sev- 
ral  years  of  successful  activity  the  Conference  sur¬ 
rendered  the  direction  of  its  work  to  the  General  Con¬ 
vention. 

The  denominational  “Big  Drive”  for  men,  mission¬ 
aries,  and  money,  inaugurated  in  1919,  brought  pledges 
from  43  Ohio  churches.  These  ranged  from  $10  to 
$7800  each  and  totaled  about  $52,000.  Only  11 
churches  reported  their  membership  gains;  these  av¬ 
eraged  from  20  to  25  per  cent. 


CHAPTER  XVI 


BRIEF  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY 

An  attempt  has  been  made  in  this  chapter  to  give 
a  list  of  all  places  in  Ohio  where  there  have  been 
Universalist  organizations,  together  with  a  condensed 
statement  of  their  histories.  Of  course  such  a  list  is 
necessarily  incomplete  and  inaccurate.  The  data  for 
the  earlier  years  have  been  culled  from  passing  ref¬ 
erences  in  the  periodicals  of  the  day,  while  for  more 
recent  times  the  denominational  statistics  and  Con¬ 
vention  records  have  been  available.  One  confusing 
source  of  error  is  the  indefinite  geographical  names 
frequently  used  to  designate  churches. 

The  location  of  these  churches  is  shown  upon  the 
accompanying  charts.  It  is  to  be  understood  that  in 
some  cases  it  was  difficult  to  determine  which  of  two 
or  more  places  of  similar  name  was  correct.  How¬ 
ever,  the  general  effect  is  undoubtedly  truthful,  and 
the  spread  of  Universalism  to  those  portions  of  the 
state  which  were  early  settled  by  New  Englanders  is 
clearly  shown. 

The  following  table  summarizes  a  brief  graphical 
study  of  the  available  information.  There  have  been 


138 


BRIED  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  139 


at  least  432  Universalist  organizations  in  the  state, 
whose  average  length  of  activity  has  been  fourteen 
years  or  more,  and  of  which  57  are  now  in  existence. 
The  column  headed  “percentage  vitality”  was  arrived 
at  in  this  manner.  The  number  of  years  of  life  of 
each  Church  was  estimated,  and  the  average  for  each 
decade  computed.  This  was  compared  with  what  the 
average  length  of  life  would  have  been,  had  all  the 
churches  lived  to  the  present  time.  The  resulting  ratio 
is  entered  in  the  table,  and  represents  the  relationship 
between  the  actual  lifetime  and  the  theoretically  pos¬ 
sible  lifetime. 


\ 

Percentage 

Date 

Total 

churches 

New 

churches 

of  these 
new 

churches 

Percentage 
vitality 
of  the 

Still 

living 

(in 

1919) 

in 

existence 

organized 

ceasing  to 
exist  in  ten 

new 

churches 

years  or  less 

Before  1820 

1 

1 

0 

0 

1820-30 

16 

15 

73% 

22% 

3 

1830-40 

89 

81 

65% 

15% 

4 

1840-50 

163 

131 

73% 

14% 

8 

1850-60 

135 

50 

82% 

15% 

5 

1860-70 

115 

77 

40% 

45% 

19 

1870-80 

141 

49 

57% 

37% 

9 

1880-90 

113 

13 

77% 

21% 

2 

1 890-00 

87 

8 

38% 

66% 

4 

1900-10 

1910-19 

80 

7i 

6 

1 

33% 

>--07 
/  0  /o 

3 

0 

These  figures  are  not  intended  to  show  facts  with 
mathematical  accuracy.  It  is  obviously  impossible  to 
tell  just  when  a  church  dies.  But  they  do  suggest 


140  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


certain  facts.  From  1817  to  about  1850  the  number 
of  Universalist  organizations  increased  rapidly,  but 
many  of  these  were  of  short  life  and  few  have  sur¬ 
vived  until  the  present.  After  the  close  of  the  Civil 
War  many  new  churches  were  organized,  many  old 
ones  long  dormant  were  revived,  and  these  were,  on 
the  whole,  more  permanent.  The  total  number  of 
church  organizations  has  been  steadily  declining  since 
about  1880.  If  these  facts  seem  discouraging  to  some, 
it  should  be  remembered  that  they  are  probably  com¬ 
parable  to  those  of  other  denominations  78  and  that 
they  have  been  accompanied  by  an  immeasurable  but 
nevertheless  certain  growth  in  efficient  organization, 
stability,  and  wealth. 

1.  Akron.  Services  were  held  as  early  as  1835,  and  within 
two  years  the  society  had  become  quite  active  with  Freeman 
Loring  as  pastor.  Largely  through  the  generosity  of  Dr.  Crosby, 
a  layman,  a  stone  church,  “one  of  the  finest  structures  in  the 
State  at  that  time,”  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $5000,  and  dedicated 
in  November,  1838.  The  one  society  included  both  Akron  and 
Middlebury,  and  was  fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  in  1840.  For  some 
reason,  apparently  indebtedness,  the  church  became  dormant  for 
a  number  of  years,  but  it  was  reorganized  in  1872,  and  dedicated 
a  new  building  in  1879,  since  which  time  it  has  been  continuously 
active.77 

2.  Adrian.  A  church  once  existed  here,  but  had  become  dor¬ 
mant  before  1889.  The  building  was  sold  in  1901. 

3.  Alcony.  See  Miami  City. 

4.  Alder  Chapel.  Meetings  were  held  in  the  school  house  at 
West  Jefferson  as  early  as  1837;  then  in  Foster  Chapel  (Method¬ 
ist).  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (Win)  in  i860  as  the  First 
Universalist  Church  of  Jefferson  Township,  and  soon  after 


BRIEF  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  141 


erected  a  building  between  West  Jefferson  and  Plain  City.  Re¬ 
organized  in  the  ’70s.  Dormant  in  recent  years. 

5.  Amelia.  Occupied  “Republican”  union  meeting-house  for 
several  years.  Fellowshipped  (Miami)  1837,  and  (Ballou)  about 
1846. 

6.  Ames(ville).  Organized  before  1847. 

7.  Amity.  Location  unknown,  but  organization  existed  some¬ 
time  previous  to  1880. 

8.  Andover.  Fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1843.  Transferred  to 
Lake  Erie  Association  of  Pennsylvania  1850,  and  then  refellow- 
shipped  (W.  R.)  two  years  later. 

9.  Ashley.  Organized  about  1856. 

10.  Ashtabula.  Organized  about  1839. 

11.  Ashville.  Erected  a  building  about  1859. 

12.  Athens.  Organized  1836. 

13.  Attica.  Building  erected  in  i860.  Erected  a  new  building 
1904. 

14.  Auburn.  Delegates  from  this  place  are  listed  at  the 
W.  R.  association  about  1880. 

15.  Aurora.  Organized  about  1822. 

16.  Austinburg.  See  Geneva. 

17.  Austintown.  Organized  about  1822. 

18.  Bainbridge.  Organized  in  1877  and  met  for  some  time  in 
the  town  hall.  Fellowshipped  (Conv.)  1878.  Dormant  since 
about  1890.  The  building  was  sold  about  1905. 

19.  Baker’s  Settlement.  Said  to  be  near  Oxford.  Erected  a 
building  1842. 

20.  Barlow.  Organized  before  1847.  Cooperated  in  erection 
of  union  building  1867,  in  which  year  it  was  fellowshipped 
(Conv.) 

21.  Batavia.  Organized  1838. 

22.  Baxter’s.  Organization  and  building  about  1843. 

23.  Beaver.  Organized  1847. 


142  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


24.  Bedford.  Organized  before  1847. 

25.  Beech.  Organized  about  1875. 

26.  Belleville.  Erected  a  building  1851,  which  was  replaced 
by  another  dedicated  in  1897. 

27.  Bellebrook.  Said  to  be  located  four  miles  east  of  Troy 
and  is  probably  to  be  identified  with  Casstown,  q.v. 

28.  Belpre.  Organized  1823.  See  Chapter  IX.  This  church 
has  been  called  “The  old  hive”  on  account  of  its  long  period  of 
activity,  and  also  “The  mother  church”  since  from  its  member¬ 
ship  are  said  to  have  come  the  nuclei  for  the  organizations  at 
Newbury,  Dunham,  Barlow,  Fairfield  as  well  as  some  in  Illinois. 
Its  first  building  was  erected  in  1832  and  a  more  modern  structure 
in  1912.  Among  the  pastors  have  been  Sweet,  Jolly,  Sage,  Gurley, 
Biddlecome,  Flanders,  Weaver,  Eaton,  Crowe,  Edwards,  Mc- 
master,  Morris,  Druley,  and  others. 

29.  Belpre  2nd.  See  Little  Hocking. 

30.  Bennet’s  Corner.  Organized  about  1851. 

31.  Berkshire  and  Sunetjry.  Organized  1836. 

32.  Berlin.  Organized  before  1836. 

33.  Berne.  Also  called  Big  Run,  and  Spruce  Run.  Organized 
before  1847;  reorganized  i860  and  1879.  Erected  a  building 
1880,  but  the  society  became  dormant  about  1908  and  in  1916  the 
building  was  sold. 

34.  Bethel,  Clark  Co.  Organized  1843  as  the  society  of  Bethel 
and  German  Townships.  Cooperated  in  a  union  building  1846. 
Soon  became  dormant. 

35.  Bethel,  Clermont  Co.  Organized  about  1840.  Supplied  by 
Cincinnati  preachers.  Erected  a  building. 

36.  Beverly.  First  preaching  by  Flanders  in  a  schoolhouse 
about  1841.  Erected  a  building  1843  and  organized  1844.  Re- 
organized  1880.  Dormant  1886. 

37.  Beebe.  See  Frost. 

38.  Bissell.  Organized  and  erected  a  building  about  1879. 

39.  Blanchester.  Organized  about  1854.  Erected  a  building 
1893. 


BRIEF  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  143 


40.  Blue  Creek.  Organized  about  1853. 


41.  Bracevtlle.  See  Newton. 

42.  Bradford.  Organized  about  1856. 

43.  Briar  Hill.  Organized  about  1870. 

44.  Bridgewater.  Organized  about  1870. 


45.  Brimfield.  Many  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  town  were 
Universalists.  The  first  preacher  whom  they  secured  was 
Timothy  Bigelow  in  1820.  Other  visitors  were  E.  Williams, 
A.  Raynor,  F.  Loring,  S.  A.  Davis,  who  preached  occasionally 
in  schoolhouses  and  homes.  The  first  building  was  erected  in 
1839,  but  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1866.  It  was  rebuilt  in  1868. 
Among  the  list  of  ministers  are  J.  Whitney,  G.  Messinger,  N. 
Doolittle,  J.  Palmer,  C.  Shipman,  G.  Emerson,  S.  Carlton,  H. 
Canfield,  Bacon,  and  A.  Wilson,  most  of  whom  were  non¬ 
residents. 

46.  Brunersburg.  Organized  about  1868. 


47.  Brunswick.  Organized  about  1853. 

48.  Bryan.  Organized  previous  to  1889. 


49.  Buford.  Organized  about  1856. 

50.  Bunker  Hill.  Organized  about  1845  and  met  in  the 
schoolhouse  until  a  building  was  erected  in  1856.  Its  list  of 
pastors  includes  Bruce,  Curry,  Bennett,  Brooks,  Emmet,  Biddle, 
Brush,  Grandy,  Tucker,  and  McLean.  It  was  refellowshipped 
in  1900. 

51.  Burton.  Organized  about  1850. 

52.  Calais.  Fellowshipped  (Conv.)  1877  and  (Wash.)  1878. 

53.  Caledonia.  This  organization  was  included  in  the  Rich¬ 
land  Association  in  1846,  but  became  dormant,  and  the  more 
permanent  society  was  formed  in  1867.  It  met  in  the  Presby¬ 
terian  church  until  its  own  building  was  erected  in  1871.  This 
was  rededicated  in  1903.  Its  pastors  have  been  Brown,  Monroe, 
Wood  (preceding  the  organization),  M.  Crosley,  Woodberry, 
Morris,  Sage,  Evans,  Saxon,  Lander,  B.  F.  Rice,  Lauer,  McLean, 
C.  P.  Nash,  Canfield,  Carney,  Quackenbush,  L.  D.  Crosley, 
Carrier,  Brainard,  Spicer. 


144  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


54.  Camden.  Guthrie  preached  at  Bank  Spring,  two  miles 
north  of  Camden,  about  1864,  and  the  next  year  effected  an 
organization  in  Camden  itself.  A  building  was  erected  in  1869, 
but  the  church  later  became  dormant,  and  it  was  sold  in  1917. 
Among  the  early  pastors  were  Polk,  W.  J.  Crosley,  Tucker,  and 
Cantwell. 

55.  Cannonsburg.  Erected  a  building  in  1848. 

56.  Carlisle.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1834  as 
the  society  of  Carlisle  and  Eaton.  See  La  Porte. 

57.  Carthage.  Organized  about  1831. 

27.  Casstown.  Erected  a  building  1846  and  fellowshipped 
(Win)  the  same  year. 

58.  Castalia.  See  Margaretta. 

59.  Castine.  Erected  a  building  about  1851. 

60.  Centerfield.  Known  as  the  Church  of  the  Redeemer; 
organized  previous  to  1870,  in  which  year  a  building  was  erected. 

61.  Centerville.  Organized  1826  by  New  Englanders,  many  of 
whom  had  been  Quakers.  Fellowshipped  (Cent.)  1837.  Owned 
a  third  interest  in  a  union  building,  1838. 

62.  Champaign.  Fellowshipped  (Cent.)  1835  as  the  society 
of  Champaign  and  Union  Counties. 

63.  Chardon.  Universalists  active  here  as  early  as  1829.  Or¬ 
ganized  and  fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1838.  Occasional  preaching 
1860-1900. 

64.  Chillicothe.  Many  Universalists  here  in  1830.  Erected  a 
building  in  1844. 

65.  Cincinnati.  Many  laymen  settled  here  and  were  visited 
by  travelling  preachers  from  the  east.  Eliphalet  Case  spent  four 
weeks  here  in  the  spring  of  1827,  and  about  this  time  the  society 
was  organized  under  the  name  of  Universalians.  A  lot  was 
purchased  and  a  building  erected  and  dedicated  within  a  few 
months,  said  to  have  a  capacity  of  1000  persons.  No  permanent 
pastor  could  be  obtained  however,  and  some  of  the  members 
were  induced  to  renounce  their  faith.  Josiah  Waldo  was  installed 
in  1828  and  for  a  time  there  was  promise  of  prosperity.  After 
his  resignation  in  1832  the  “indifferent  and  badly  located”  building 


BRIEF  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  145 


was  sold  and  the  society  became  extinct.  In  1835  it  was  reorgan¬ 
ized  by  George  Rogers  with  the  aid  of  Rev.  George  Campbell, 
a  Restoratipnist  from  Massachusetts.  After  some  difficulties  it 
was  decided  to  purchase  the  building  on  Walnut  St.  between  3rd 
and  4th,  known  as  the  Mechanics  Institute  for  $6600.  This  was 
done  in  1836  and  in  the  following  year  extensive  repairs  were 
made,  equipping  the  basement  for  Sunday  School  purposes. 
Successful  pastorates  were  aided  by  unwise  evangelistic  methods 
in  the  orthodox  churches,  and  the  work  became  firmly  established. 
The  old  building  was  replaced  by  a  new  one  in  1842.  In  that 
year  there  were  at  least  four  Universalist  societies  in  the  city: 
the  “old,”  the  “new,”  organized  by  Pingree  and  meeting  in  a 
hall  on  Court  and  Vine  Sts.,  another  which  had  irregular  preach¬ 
ing  by  Gurley,  and  the  Restorationists,  on  Race  St.  between  5th 
and  Longworth.  In  addition  there  had  been  a  German  Universal¬ 
ist  church  organized  in  1838.  Sometime  previous  to  1859  the 
parent  society  moved  to  Plum  St.  between  4th  and  5th.  In 
1898  another  removal  took  it  to  Walnut  Hills.  Following  is  a 
complete  list  of  pastors :  J.  C.  Waldo,  1828-32 ;  George  Rogers, 
I835_3b;  William  West,  1836-39;  J.  A.  Gurley,  1839-44;  A.  C. 
Thomas,  1844-47;  Henry  Jewell,  1847-51;  G.  W.  Quimby,  1851-54; 
I.  D.  Williamson,  1854-57;  G.  T.  Flanders,  1857-61;  G.  L. 
Demarest,  1864-65;  E.  L.  Rexford,  1865-69;  Willard  Spaulding, 
1870-72;  J.  G.  Adams,  1872-76;  J.  M.  Bailey,  1877-78;  J.  H. 
Hartley,  1879-80;  Sumner  Ellis,  1880;  W.  H.  Rider,  1882-83; 
E.  F.  Pember,  1884-87;  E.  W.  Whitney,  1887-90;  Harry  L. 
Canfield,  1891-94;  U.  S.  Milburne,  1894-98;  Harry  Blackford, 
1899-1901;  S.  G.  Ayres;  A.  B.  Beresford. 

66.  Cincinnati  2nd.  A  new  second  church  was  organized  in 
1848  and  purchased  a  building  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Sixth 
and  Mound  Sts.  When  the  first  church  moved  from  Walnut  St. 
the  second  church  bought  the  property  and  worshipped  there 
until  about  1857,  when,  by  reason  of  internal  dissension  the 
society  became  defunct  and  the  property  was  sold  to  the 
Unitarians.  Its  pastors  included  Hartzell,  Peters,  Gurley,  T.  FI. 
Johnston,  Weaver,  Chamberlain,  W.  S.  Bacon,  and  others. 

67.  Circleville.  Organized  1833. 

68.  Claridon.  A  church  once  existed  here  which  had  become 
dormant  before  1880.  Probably  same  as  E.  Claridon. 


146  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


69.  Clear  Creek.  Probably  Warren  Co.  The  second  society 
in  this  township  was  organized  about  1848  and  erected  a  building. 

70.  Cleveland.  Frequently  visited  by  traveling  preachers  in 
the  ’20  and  ’30s.  In  1846  a  partly  furnished  church  belonging 
to  the  Methodists  was  purchased,  but  it  passed  to  other  hands 
about  1852.  An  awakening  and  organization  came  about  1862 
and  for  a  time  there  was  prosperity,  but  about  1874  one  or  more 
“splits”  occurred,  and  by  1880  they  were  all  dead.  The  present 
organization  was  effected  in  1891 ;  two  years  later  a  chapel  was 
dedicated  at  Fourth  and  Willson.  The  present  building  is  located 
at  Superior  and  Melbourne. 

7 1.  Clinton.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (Cent.)  1830. 

72.  Clover  Lick.  Organized  about  1845. 

73.  Clyde.  Erected  a  building  about  1852.  The  church  was 
dormant  by  1900,  and  the  building  sold  in  1901. 

74.  Coe  Ridge.  See  Olmstead. 

75.  Cold  Spring.  Organized  about  1850. 

76.  Columbus.  Visited  by  traveling  preachers  in  the  ’30s. 
More  regular  services  began  about  1836  in  the  Court  House. 
Later  used  a  building  at  High  and  Friend  Sts.  Organized  1844 
and  in  1846  purchased  the  German  St.  Paul  Church  on  the  east 
side  of  Third  between  Town  and  Rich.  This  was  later  sold  to 
the  Masons  and  a  lot  on  State  St.  purchased.  A  chapel  was 
built  in  1884,  a  church  in  1891,  and  a  parsonage  in  1889.  Since 
the  date  of  organization  the  pastors  have  been  Eaton  (1845), 
Doolittle  (1845-51),  Gaylord  (1852-54),  Gifford,  Upson,  Hawes, 
Nye  (1856-59),  Gorman  (1859-61),  Cantwell  (1861-65),  Bruce 
(1865-68),  Rexford  (1869-74),  Ralph,  Abel,  W.  M.  Jones  (1889- 
94),  Rexford  (1894-07),  F.  B.  Bishop,  E.  V.  Stevens,  and  Chas. 
Alden.  Recently  a  new  church  building  has  been  erected  on 
16th  St. 

77.  Concord.  Organized  sometime  previous  to  1847. 

78.  Conneaut.  See  Monroe.  Apparently  organized  independ¬ 
ently  of  Monroe  in  1847. 

79.  Conover.  Organized  at  Lena,  1868.  Moved  to  Conover  and 
building  erected  1871.  Early  pastors  were  Guthrie,  Moore,  Lauer, 
and  Blackford. 


BRIEF  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  147 


So.  Coolville.  Organized  1829.  Reorganized  1S46.  Started  to 
build,  but  sold  out  to  Congregationalists. 

81.  Copley.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1845. 

82.  Coshocton.  Organized  1835.  Reorganized  about  1846. 

83.  Cuba.  Organized  November  29,  1868,  and  erected  a  build¬ 
ing  in  1870,  which  was  remodeled  and  supplemented  by  a  parson¬ 
age  in  1894.  New  building  erected  in  1909.  The  pastors  have 
been  W.  S.  Bacon,  Tucker,  Saxton,  Mrs.  H.  V.  Andrews, 
Richardson,  Colegrove,  John,  Lewis,  F.  W.  Evans,  Kellerman, 
Sara  Stoner,  H.  G.  Moore. 

84.  Darby  (Creek)  and  Union.  Fellowshipped  (Cent.)  1835 
and  Win.)  1845.  See  Plain  City  and  also  Irwin. 

85.  Dayton.  Organized  1838  and  erected  a  building  1846. 
Included  in  Winchester  Association  until  1854  and  then  trans¬ 
ferred  to  the  Montgomery  Association.  This  organization  be- 
ecame  dormant,  as  did  a  second  one  whose  building  was  sold 
about  1S85.  A  third  organization  was  effected  in  1900  and 
fellowshipped  (Win.).  It  met  at  first  in  the  Christian  Science 
Church  and  later  in  1907  erected  a  chapel.  It  too  became  dor¬ 
mant  as  a  result  of  the  flood. 

86.  Decatur.  Organized  1833.  Reorganized  and  fellowshipped 
(Wash.)  i860. 

87.  Defiance.  Organized  about  1870. 

88.  Delhi.  Erected  a  building  1842.  Dormant  before  1893. 

89.  Dooley  Settlement.  See  Eaton. 

90.  Dry  Ridge.  Organized  about  1847. 

91.  Dunham.  Organized  from  Belpre  membership  1845  and 
met  in  a  schoolhouse.  Later  it  was  reunited  with  Belpre. 

92.  Dudley.  Fellowshipped  (Conv.)  1877. 

56.  Eaton.  See  Carlisle. 

89.  Eaton.  Samuel  Tizzard  moved  here  in  1820  and  about 
1825  Kidwell  began  coming  for  regular  monthly  services.  Other 
early  preachers  were  St.  John,  Parker,  Dodge,  and  Hawley. 
Kidwell  organized  a  church  in  1827.  This  became  dormant  and 
the  present  society  was  formed  in  1856  at  Dooley  Settlement  by 


148  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Bacon,  who  had  already  been  preaching  there  two  years.  This 
was  known  as  the  Friendship  Church.  He  also  preached  at 
Eaton  in  the  Christian  Church.  The  society  was  reorganized 
and  moved  to  Eaton  in  1872,  first  using  the  City  Hall.  A  build¬ 
ing  was  dedicated  in  1877.  The  pastors  have  been  Bacon,  Guthrie, 
Dutton,  Blackford,  Tucker,  Lander,  Frank  Evans,  Getchel,  Dut¬ 
ton,  L.  D.  Crosley,  Richardson,  Yates,  Blackford,  Guthrie, 
Conner,  B.  G.  Carpenter,  Moorman,  Robinson,  Henry  Black¬ 
ford,  Thompson,  M.  G.,  and  L.  P.  Jones,  S.  L.  and  J.  A.  Stoner. 

68.  East  Claridon.  Organized  1878.  See  Claridon. 

83.  East  Fork.  Included  in  Ballou  Association  about  1846. 
See  Cuba. 

93.  East  Liberty.  See  Newton. 

94.  Edwardsville.  Erected  a  building  1837. 

95.  Eldorado.  Organized  1849  at  home  of  Daniel  Disher  south¬ 
east  of  town  by  Elihu  Moore,  who  had  been  preaching  in  this 
vicinity  some  years.  Erected  a  building  1850;  this  was  known  as 
the  Monroe  church  and  was  located  south  of  town.  In  1868  a 
brick  building  was  erected  in  town.  A  new  building  was  built 
in  1909.  The  pastors  have  been  Moore  1849-55,  Emmet,  Sweet, 
Gifford,  Guthrie  1864-66,  Moore  1867-70,  Lauer  1871,  Eaton 
1872-73,  J.  H.  Blackford  1874-95,  Moorman  1896-97,  J.  H.  Black¬ 
ford  1898-99,  Robinson  1900-01,  Harry  Blackford,  1902-03,  S.  L. 
Stoner  1904-17  and  also  J.  A.  Stoner  1908-13. 

96.  Fairfield.  Washington  Co.  Building  erected  1867.  Re¬ 
organized  1880. 

97.  Fairmont.  Auglaize  Co.  Fellowshipped  1889. 

98.  Farmer’s  Station.  See  Green. 

99.  Farmington.  Organized  1822. 

100.  Felicity.  Organized  about  1851. 

101.  Fearing.  Organized  1833.  Also  a  German  Universalist 
congregation  here  1836. 

102.  Fishtown.  The  building  was  sold  in  1902. 

103.  Flint.  Organized  1871  by  Unitarians. 


BRIEF  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  149 


104.  Florence.  Organized  previous  to  1847. 

105.  Franklin.  Organized  1838. 

106.  Fredericktown.  Organized  1829  as  the  Universalian 
Library  Society  of  Fredericktown  and  vicinity.  Erected  a  build¬ 
ing  about  1838. 

107.  Fredonia.  Erected  a  building  about  1834. 

108.  Freemont.  See  Lower  Sandusky. 

89.  Friendship.  See  Eaton. 

109.  Friendship.  Organized  about  1848.  United  with  New 
Madison  1890. 

37.  Frost.  Fellowshipped  (Wash.)  1838.  Reorganized  1878. 

no.  Gallipolis.  Organized  1829.  Active  1847.  A  building 
was  built  in  i860.  It  is  now  the  printing  office  of  the  “Gallia 
Times.” 

in.  Gardentown.  Union  building  about  1855. 

16.  Geneva.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1834  as 
the  society  of  Geneva,  Harpersfield,  Austinburgh,  and  Saybrook. 

1 12.  Gorham.  Organized  about  1868. 

1 13.  Goshen.  Northwestern  Association.  Organized  about 
1870. 

114.  Goshen,  Clermont  Co.  Organized  1846  and  erected  a 
building  1848.  Early  pastors  were  Biddlecome,  Emmet,  Bacon, 
Polk,  Henley,  Corwine,  Cantwell,  and  Emery. 

98.  Green.  Perhaps  in  Clinton  Co.  Organized  1846  and 
erected  a  building  1848.  See  Farmer’s  Sta. 

1 15.  Green  Creek.  Organized  about  1847. 

1 16.  Greenfield.  Organized  1842. 

1 17.  Greenville.  After  services  had  been  held  in  the  Opera 
House  by  Carlton  and  McLean  for  two  years  a  society  was  or¬ 
ganized  in  1893  which  erected  a  building  in  1895.  The  pastors 
have  been  MacLean,  Richardson,  L.  D.  Crosley,  Guthrie,  M.  G. 
and  L.  P.  Jones,  Barrett,  Colegrove,  Williams,  and  Rowland. 

1 18.  Greenwich.  Organized  previous  to  1846. 


150  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1 19.  Guilford.  Organized  about  1831. 

120.  Hamilton.  See  Rossville.  Organized  1836  in  the  Court 
House.  Erected  a  building  at  Front  and  High  Sts.,  1852,  which 
was  replaced  in  1891  by  one  at  Third  and  Dayton.  Erected  a 
parsonage  1892.  The  list  of  pastors  includes  Kidwell,  William¬ 
son,  Gurley,  Rogers,  Quimby,  Gaylord,  Brooks,  Pingree,  Brush, 
Biddlecome,  Bacon,  Galligher,  Gage,  Bortle,  Linton. 

121.  Hampton.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (Cent.)  1830. 

122.  Harford.  Also  called  Stratford.  Location  unknown. 
Erected  a  building  about  1856. 

123.  Harmar.  Organized  1839  and  maintained  an  existence  for 
ten  years. 

124.  Harmony.  Fellowshipped  (Win.)  1846  and  cooperated  in 
erection  of  union  building  1847. 

125.  Harpersfield.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (W.  R.) 
1856  as  Harpersfield  and  Trumble.  See  also  Geneva. 

126.  Hartford.  Organized  about  1870. 

127.  Harrison.  Organized  about  1856.  Fellowshipped  (Conv.) 

1874. 

128.  Harrod.  Fellowshipped  1902  and  erected  a  building  1904. 

129.  Hase’s  Cross  Roads.  Organized  1835.  Location  unknown. 

130.  Havana.  Fellowshipped  1881. 

131.  Hebron.  Fellowshipped  (Cent.)  1842,  and  cooperated  in 
a  union  building. 

132.  Higginsport.  Included  in  Ballou  Association,  1846. 

133.  Hockingport.  Organized  previous  to  1847. 

134.  Hollansburg.  Organized  about  1873. 

135.  Homer.  Organized  previous  to  1847. 

136.  Houston.  Organized  about  1844. 

137.  Huntington.  Organized  about  1834  and  again  in  1846. 
Reorganized  1858  as  the  United  Christian  Universalist  Church 
of  Rochester  and  Huntington.  Fellowshipped  (Mur.)  1858. 
Erected  a  building  1877.  Pastors  have  been  H.  P.  Sage,  Binns, 


BRIEF  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  151 


Gifford,  W.  D.  Shipman,  Burnell,  Danforth,  Buckner,  Cornelia 
Andrews,  Seaton,  J.  R.  Carpenter,  Olin,  Austin,  L.  D.  Crosley. 

138.  Huntsburg.  Organized  about  1855  and  included  in 
Western  Reserve  Association. 

139.  Huron.  Organized  previous  to  1847. 

140.  Indian  Hill.  Organized  about  1848. 

84.  Irwin.  Organized  1863  and  fellowshipped  (Win.)  1864. 
See  also  Darby. 

141.  Jackson  and  Johnson,  Champaign  Co.  Included  in 
Winchester  Association  1843.  See  St.  Paris. 

4.  Jefferson.  See  Alder  Chapel. 

142.  Jefferson.  Huron  Association.  Organized  about  1851. 

143.  Jefferson  (ville).  Probably  Fayette  Co.  Organized  about 
1848. 

144.  Jersey.  The  first  preaching  was  by  Curry  in  1824  in  the 
cabin  of  Michael  Beem.  Later  his  barn  was  used.  Organized 
1829  and  erected  a  building  in  1840.  This  was  replaced  by  a 
new  structure  in  1887.  The  pastors  were  Curry,  Strong,  Jolly 
i833"37>  Gifford,  Binns,  Woodrow,  Manley,  Norton,  Jones,  Ralph, 
Wroodbury  from  about  1855  to  1875,  Crary,  Yates,  Quackenbush, 
Tucker,  Pitkin,  Richardson,  White,  Stirton,  John,  Colegrove, 
Thompson,  and  Leavitt. 

145.  Kent.  Organized  by  attendants  of  the  Brimfield  church 
in  1866  as  the  Franklin  Universalist  Conference.  After  reor¬ 
ganization  a  building  was  erected  in  1868.  Its  pastors  have  been 
Cledhill,  Morris,  Marsh,  Wilson,  Canfield,  Danforth,  Colegrove, 
Lewis. 

146.  Kenton.  Organized  by  Eaton  and  fellowshipped  (Conv.) 
1876.  Worshipped  in  the  Court  House  and  elsewhere.  F.  S. 
Rice  and  Day  were  pastors.  Dormant  since  1880. 

147.  LaGrange.  Organized  sometime  previous  to  1849  and 
erected  a  building,  which  was  later  leased  to  the  Adventists. 

56.  LaPorte.  Erected  a  building  sometime  previous  to  1847. 
See  Carlisle. 

148.  Lebanon.  Organized  about  1872. 


152  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


149.  Leesburg.  Erected  a  building  1840,  much  of  the  lumber 
for  which  was  furnished  by  Weber,  the  first  preacher.  The 
movement  waned  as  that  at  Centerfield  grew. 

79.  Lena.  See  Conover. 

150.  Lenox.  Organized  1836. 

151.  Leroy.  Organized  in  1839  at  the  Center  School  House. 
Building  dedicated  in  1849. 

152.  Lewiston.  Organized  in  1844.  Location  unknown. 

153.  Lewistown.  Included  in  Winchester  Association  1846. 

154.  Lexington.  Organized  1831  and  soon  erected  a  building. 

155.  Liberty.  See  Newway. 

156.  Liberty  Center.  Organized  about  1870. 

29.  Little  Hocking.  Organized  in  1852.  Its  first  building  was 
at  Newbury  in  1854.  In  1891  a  new  building  was  erected  at  Little 
Hocking.  The  early  name  of  the  organization  was  Second 
Belpre,  but  in  1895  this  was  changed  to  Little  Hocking.  The 
pastors  have  been  Weaver,  Bartlett,  McMaster  (18  years), 
Druley,  Earl,  Hewitt,  F.  K.  Beem,  Brainard,  Grimmer,  and  Metz. 

157.  Little  Mountain,  Lake  Co..  Annual  grove  meetings  held 
here  by  Wilson  for  35  years.  Organized  about  1874. 

158.  Lisbon.  Organized  about  1846  and  cooperated  in  union 
building. 

159.  Locust  Grove.  Included  in  Scioto  Association  about  1849. 

hi.  Lodi.  Fellowshipped  (Conv.)  1873.  Dead  1880. 

160.  London.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (Win.)  1858  and 
erected  a  building  1866,  which  was  remodeled  in  1875.  Early 
services  were  held  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The  pastors  have 
been  Nye,  Gorman,  Demerest,  Bruce,  Rexford,  Polk,  Abell,  the 
Crosleys,  Henley,  John,  Milburn.  The  building  was  sold  in  1917. 

161.  Londonderry.  Organized  about  1845. 

162.  Lower  Salem.  Organized  1859  by  J.  W.  McMaster. 
Erected  a  building  1861.  The  ministers  have  been  McMaster, 
1859-81,  Hewitt  1889,  Brainard  1890-99,  Thompson,  Morris, 
Bronnis. 


BRIEF  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  153 


108.  Lower  Sandusky.  Organized  and  erected  a  building  1842. 

163.  Lyme.  Organized  1832. 

164.  Lyons.  Organized  previous  to  1889.  Erected  a  building. 
Rededicated  1904. 

165.  Madison.  Fellowshipped  (Conv.)  1875. 

166.  Madisonville.  Erected  a  building  which  later  was  sold 
and  became  the  Keeley  Institute. 

167.  Mansfield.  Organized  1848  by  Smead.  Reorganized  1890 
by  Crispin  and  fellowshipped.  Purchased  Christian  Church  1898. 

168.  Mantua.  Regular  preaching  here  by  Reuben  Jones  from 
1815  to  1831. 

58.  Margaretta  and  Pipe  Creek.  Organized  previous  to  1847 
and  erected  a  building  1868. 

169.  Marietta.  Organized  1817.  On  Feb.  2,  1832,  the  legis¬ 
lature  passed  an  act  to  incorporate  “The  First  Universalian  Re¬ 
ligious  Library  Association  of  Marietta.”  It  was  the  purpose 
of  this  society  to  build  up  a  large  library  and  its  funds  were 
invested  in  books  rather  than  in  preaching.  About  3000  volumes 
were  gradually  collected,  only  to  be  destroyed  in  the  flood  of 
i860.  A  frame  church  on  Second  St.  was  erected  in  1842,  one 
room  of  which  was  used  as  a  library.  In  1850  the  Western 
Liberal  Institute  was  placed  under  the  care  of  the  church.  Pas¬ 
tors  were  from  time  to  time  employed,  including  Edwards, 
Flanders,  Weaver,  Eaton,  Bartlett,  Barron,  Sweet,  Hicks,  J.  W. 
McMaster,  Henley,  Morris.  In  1869  the  church  was  merged  with 
the  Unitarian  society. 

170.  Marion.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  in  1909  and 
erected  a  building  in  1913. 

171.  Mason.  Organized  in  1835  under  the  name  of  Palmyra, 
and  erected  a  building  the  next  year.  Reorganized  in  1886  under 
the  name  of  Mason,  after  a  new  building  had  been  completed. 
The  pastors  have  been  Atkinson,  Linnell,  W.  Bacon,  Carlton, 
Henley,  Vincent,  Rice,  Pember,  Conner,  Backus,  Carpenter, 
Dunham,  C.  E.  Jones,  Carrier,  Hilstren,  Thompson,  Bisbee. 

172.  McConnelsville.  Organized  previous  to  1836.  Reorgan¬ 
ized  1847,  and  erected  a  building  about  1851.  Fellowshipped 
(Wash.)  1850.  The  building  was  sold  in  1921. 


154  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


173.  Mechanicsburg.  Included  in  Winchester  Association 
1843.  See  Goshen. 

174.  Medina.  Erected  a  building  previous  to  1847. 

175.  Mesopotamia.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (W.  R.) 
1844  and  erected  a  building  about  1848.  The  latter  eventually 
became  the  town  hall. 

3.  Miami  City.  Located  at  Alcony.  Organized  about  1858 
and  erected  a  building.  This  was  remodeled  in  1903. 

176.  Miamisburg.  Organized  1833. 

177.  Miamiville.  Organized  about  1862. 

1.  Middlebury.  Organized  1839.  See  also  Akron. 

178.  Middlefield.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1846. 

179.  Middleport.  Organized  and  erected  a  building  in  1868. 
Revived  1889.  Fellowshipped  (Wash.)  1891.  Building  sold  1904, 
and  is  now  used  as  a  public  library. 

180.  Milford.  Organized  previous  to  1836  and  erected  a  build¬ 
ing.  This  society  became  dormant  and  a  new  one  was  formed 
and  fellowshipped  1889.  A  new  building  was  erected  1892. 

181.  Mill  Creek.  Organized  about  1845. 

182.  Milroy.  Fellowshipped  1900. 

183.  Mitlerstown.  Organized  i860  and  erected  a  building. 
The  building  was  sold  in  1879. 

78.  Monroe  and  Conneaut.  Organized  1834.  The  Monroe 
church  was  fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1835  and  erected  a  building 
about  1853.  Also  called  Monroe  Center. 

95.  Monroe.  See  Eldorado. 

184.  Montgomery.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (Miami) 
1836  and  erected  a  building  1837.  Among  the  pastors  have  been 
Pingree,  Henley,  Gurley,  Biddlecome,  Demerest,  Bacon,  Crosley, 
Cantwell,  Corwine,  B.  G.  Carpenter. 

185.  Morgan.  Organized  about  1848  and  met  in  the  “Tem¬ 
perance  Ark.” 

186.  Mt.  Carmel.  Early  preaching  was  by  Parker,  Gillmore, 
Laurie,  Gurley,  Rogers,  Pingree,  Emmett.  Organized  as  the 


BRIEF  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  155 


church  of  Mt.  Carmel  and  Newtown  about  1840,  but  later  the 
organization  was  taken  to  Newtown.  Organized  independently 
of  Newtown  1864,  and  in  cooperation  with  Odd  Fellows  erected 
a  building  1867.  Other  pastors  were  M.  Crosley,  Demerest, 
Henley,  W.  S.  Bacon  (nearly  25  years),  Conner,  Backus,  J.  R. 
Carpenter,  John,  J.  A.  Stoner,  Gillespie,  Harry  Blackford, 
Thornton,  the  Colegroves. 

187.  Mt.  Gilead.  Organized  and  erected  a  building  1861.  The 
pastors  have  been  Brown,  Nye,  Henley,  Woodbury,  M.  Crosley, 
Crowell,  Morris,  Sage,  Evans,  Canfield,  Shumway,  Carlton, 
Tucker,  Carney,  L.  Crosley,  Ashworth,  L.  Robinson,  Dickey,  J.  R. 
Carpenter,  Stoner. 

188.  Mt.  Healthy.  Met  in  the  Free  Meeting  House  as  early 
as  1830.  D.  Bacon  was  the  pastor  during  a  period  of  growth 
about  1848. 

189.  Mt.  Pleasant.  Organized  about  1845. 

190.  Mt.  Vernon.  Organized  1833  with  150  members  and 
Jolly  and  Davis  as  preachers. 

191.  Napoleon.  Organized  about  1868. 

192.  Newark.  Fellowshipped  (Cent.)  1842,  and  erected  a 
building  1846. 

193.  Newbury.  Organized  about  1820  and,  in  cooperation  with 
Baptists,  erected  a  building  1845.  This  later  became  the  sole 
property  of  the  Universalists.  The  founders  of  this  church  came 
from  Monson,  Mass. 

194.  Newbury,  Washington  Co.  Organized  1852. 

195.  New  Haven.  Fellowshipped  (Conv.)  1879  and  cooperated 
in  union  building. 

196.  New  London.  Fellowshipped  (Murray)  1835. 

197.  New  Madison.  Organized  1859  by  Gifford.  Erected  a 
building  in  i860  which  was  replaced  by  a  more  modern  one  in 

1903. 

198.  Newman.  Erected  a  building. 

199.  New  Paris.  Organized  about  1840  by  McCune  and  fel- 
lowshipped  1843  (Mont.).  Cooperated  in  a  union  building.  Re- 


156  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


organized  by  Guthrie  1866.  Erected  a  building  1875  which  was 
sold  to  the  Grange  in  1914.  Among  the  pastors  have  been 
Guthrie,  Carlton,  Tucker,  Blackford,  L.  D.  Crosley,  Moorman, 
the  Stoners,  the  Colegroves,  the  Jones,  Lander,  Richardson,  and 
others. 

200.  New  Philadelphia.  Organized  about  1862. 

201.  New  Richmond.  Organized  about  1846  and  died  about 
1855.  Erected  a  building.  Parker  and  Gilmore  were  pastors. 

41.  Newton  and  Braceville.  Organized  about  1822. 

93.  Newton  and  East  Liberty.  Fellowshipped  (Win.)  1843 
and  cooperated  in  union  building. 

202.  Newtown.  See  Mt.  Carmel.  Organized  independently 
of  that  place  1864. 

203.  New  Vienna.  Organized  about  1849;  reorganized  1867  by 
Polk  and  Carlton. 

204.  Newville.  Organized  about  1856. 

155.  New-way.  Fellowshipped  (Cent.)  1842  and  erected  a 
building. 

205.  New  Weston.  Organized  about  1903. 

206.  Nevada.  Organized. 

207.  North  Hill.  Organized  about  1850. 

208.  Norwalk.  After  preaching  here  a  little  more  than  a  year, 
Dr.  Canfield  organized  a  church  on  January  17,  1869.  Temper¬ 
ance  Hall  was  at  first  used  for  worship,  and  a  building  erected 
in  1872.  Other  pastors  have  been  Hathaway,  Vincent,  Powell, 
Getchell,  J.  F.  Rice,  Crane,  Felt,  Dunham,  Corwin,  Dickey, 
Minor,  Spanton,  Couden,  Brown,  and  Welch. 

209.  Oberlin.  Organized  about  1848. 

210.  Ohio  City.  Organized  about  1836  and  erected  a  building. 
Whitney  and  Dinsmore  were  pastors ;  the  latter  opened  an 
academy. 

21 1.  Olive.  Included  in  Washington  Association  1846. 

212.  Olive  Branch.  Organized  previous  to  1849. 


BRIED  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  157 


74.  Olm  stead.  Organized  in  1838  or  earlier  and  cooperated  in 
a  union  building.  A  new  building  was  built  in  1847  and  a  re¬ 
organization  occurred  in  1870. 

213.  Ongon.  Huron  Association.  Organized  about  1851. 

214.  Oregon.  Organized  about  1848. 

215.  Orwell.  Fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1835. 

216.  Oxford.  Organized  1830  and  fellowshipped  (Miami) 
1837.  Erected  a  building  1840.  Disbanded  in  the  early  ’8os. 
Kidwell,  Dodge,  St.  John,  Rogers,  Longley,  Polk,  Haskell,  Gif¬ 
ford  were  preachers. 

217.  Painesville.  Organized. 

218.  Palestine.  Organized  1858  by  Moore,  meeting  first  in  a 
schoolhouse,  and  later  erecting  a  building.  Carlton,  Guthrie, 
Blackford,  MacLean,  Richardson,  L.  D.  Crosley,  the  Stoners, 
Colegrove,  were  pastors. 

219.  Palmyra.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (Miami)  1836. 

220.  Parkman.  Organized  about  1834  and  about  1845  erected 
a  building  on  a  lot  given  by  Gen.  Perkins.  The  building  was 
sold  in  1904. 

221.  Peninsula.  Fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1843. 

222.  Pennsville.  Organized  about  1851. 

223.  Perrysburg.  Erected  a  building  in  1837  which  was  sold 
about  1850  to  the  Roman  Catholics. 

224.  Perrysville.  Organized  about  1843. 

225.  Peru.  Truman  Strong  commenced  preaching  here  in  1821. 
The  first  Universalist  preaching  in  the  Fire  lands.  Organized 
1827  and  fellowshipped  (Rich.)  1828.  Incorporated  by  the  legis¬ 
lature  February  24,  1834.  Erected  a  building  1840.  The  pastors 
have  been  Strong,  N.  B.  Johnson,  Farley,  A.  Davis,  Brown,  J.  R. 
Johnson,  Smeed,  Eaton,  Hovey,  Wood,  Gibbs,  Hull,  Sweet, 
S.  Clark,  Vibbert,  Nye,  Crane,  C.  P.  Nash,  Ashton,  Canfield, 
Brunning,  A.  L.  Rice,  S.  C.  Clark,  J.  F.  Rice,  Danforth,  Laurence, 
J.  R.  Carpenter,  Humberstone,  Couden,  Brown,  Wilson,  Welch. 

226.  Pharisburg.  Organized  about  1855 ;  reorganized  1879  by 
L.  D.  Crosley,  and  met  in  Methodist  Protestant  Church.  Still 


158  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


another  organization  seems  to  have  owned  a  building  of  its  own 
in  this  vicinity  about  1889.  Abrogast  and  Wait  were  pastors. 

227.  Pierpont.  Fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1835. 

228.  Piketon.  Organized  about  1843. 

58.  Pipe  Creek.  See  Margaretta. 

229.  Plain  City.  See  Darby.  Organized  as  Pleasant  Valley 
and  fellowshipped  (Cent.)  1835.  Reorganized  1842  and  fellow- 
shipped  (Win.)  1843.  Erected  a  building  1850  and  replaced  it  by 
another  in  1890.  The  latter  was  partially  destroyed  by  a  cyclone 
in  1912  and  rededicated  in  1913.  Among  the  preachers  have  been 
C.  Rogers,  Emmett,  Jolly,  Snell,  Wait,  Norton,  Carlton,  Lauer, 
Glover,  Saxton,  Crosleys,  Abell,  the  Beems,  Henley,  Milburn, 
Stray,  Spicer,  Thompson,  Trout,  Stirton,  Richardson,  Colegrove, 
Baker,  Rexford,  Glazier,  Robinson. 

230.  Plainfield.  Organized  about  1873. 

231.  Plainville.  Organized  about  1849.  Erected  a  building 
about  1868. 

232.  Plattsburg.  Fellowshipped  (Win.)  1859  and  erected 
union  building  with  Christians.  Services  ceased  about  1870  but 
the  property  interest  was  retained  until  1896. 

233.  Plattsville.  Organized  about  1884. 

234.  Pleasant.  Clarke  Co.  Included  in  Winchester  Associa¬ 
tion  and  erected  a  building  about  1846. 

235.  Pleasant  Hill.  Jerome  Twp.,  Union  Co.  Fellowshipped 
(Win.)  1847. 

229.  Pleasant  Valley.  See  Plain  City. 

236.  Pretty  Prairie.  Champaign  Co.  Organized  previous  to 
1836. 

237.  Pricetown.  Organized  1833  by  G.  Rogers ;  reorganized 
i860  and  erected  a  building  1861.  A  new  building  in  1899  was 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1907. 

238.  Primrose.  Organized  about  1868. 

239.  Princeton.  Erected  a  building  about  1852. 

240.  Pyrmont.  Organized  previous  to  1867. 


BRIEF  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  159 


241.  Quincy.  Organized  and  erected  a  building  about  1846. 
Reorganized  and  fellowshipped  (Win.)  1869. 

242.  Rainsboro.  Organized  previous  to  1849. 

243.  Raney’s  Grove.  Organized. 

244.  Ravenna.  Organized  1837  and  erected  a  building  1842. 
Fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1841  and  (Conv.)  1877.  A  new  building 
was  erected  in  1877  and  a  third  about  1890. 

245.  Reed.  See  Sherman. 

246.  Republic.  See  Scipio. 

247.  Reynoldsburg.  Organized  1848  and  erected  a  building  in 
1849.  This  was  burned  in  1905.  Gifford  and  Woodbury  were 
early  pastors. 

248.  Richfield.  Organized  previous  to  1847. 

249.  Richland.  See  Union. 

250.  Richmondale.  Organized  about  1843  and  erected  a  build¬ 
ing. 

251.  Ridgeville.  Erected  a  building  in  1847  which  was  re¬ 
modeled  in  1892. 

252.  Ripley.  Organized  previous  to  1846.  Huron  Co. 

137.  Rochester.  See  Huntington. 

37.  Rome.  See  Frost. 

253.  Rossburg.  Organized  about  1862. 

120.  Rossville.  Possibly  erected  a  building  1842.  Called 
Rossville  and  Hamilton  1851. 

254.  Roxbury.  Organized  1833. 

255.  Royalton.  Organized  1847. 

256.  Rutland.  Organized  1835  and  erected  a  building  about 
1847.  This  was  burned  about  1892.  Webber  and  Craven  were 
early  preachers. 

257.  Salem.  Ashtabula  Co.  Organized  1825. 

237.  Salem.  See  Pricetown. 

162.  Salem.  See  Lower  Salem. 


160  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


258.  Salem,  Columbiana  Co.  Organized  1859  and  erected  a 
building  1861. 

259.  Salem  Grove.  Scioto  Association.  Organized  about  1842. 

260.  Sandusky.  Organized  and  erected  a  building  1842. 

16.  Saybrook.  See  Geneva. 

246.  Scipio.  Organized  1835  and  erected  a  building  1846. 

261.  Sharon.  Location  uncertain.  Fellowshipped  (Rich.) 
1833  and  Murray  1838.  Reorganized  1845  and  erected  a  building 
1851. 

262.  Sharon  Center.  Organized. 

263.  Sharonville.  Erected  a  building  about  1851.  Reorgan¬ 
ized  1890. 

264.  Sinking  Spring.  Erected  a  building  about  1850. 

265.  Sheffield.  Organized  and  erected  a  building  1842. 

266.  Sheley.  Erected  a  building  1848.  Included  in  Richland 
Association  1846. 

245.  Sherman.  Organized  as  Sherman,  Reed,  and  Thompson 
about  1846. 

267.  Smithville.  Organized  and  erected  a  building  1842. 

268.  Snow  Creek.  Included  in  Richland  Association  1846. 

269.  South  Bloomfield.  Erected  a  building  about  1852. 

270.  South  New  Lyme.  Organized  about  1880. 

271.  Springboro.  Erected  a  building  1841  which  was  replaced 
by  another  1896. 

272.  Spring  Creek.  Organized  about  1850. 

273.  Springfield.  Organized  1836  and  erected  a  building  1837 
which  was  replaced  1893.  Preachers  have  been  Fisk,  Davis, 
Messener,  Pingree,  Emmett,  Biddlecome,  Waite,  Linnell, 
Weaver,  Turner,  Demerest,  Carlton,  Bosseman,  Tomlinson, 
Henley,  Ashenfelter,  Guthrie,  Countryman,  Stoner,  Sias,  H. 
Moore,  McLaughlin. 

33.  Spruce  Run.  See  Berne. 


BRIEF  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  161 


141.  St.  Paris.  Organized  about  1879.  See  Jackson. 

274.  Steueenville.  Organized. 

275.  Stockport.  Organized  previous  to  1847. 

276.  Stryker.  Fellowshipped  (Conv.)  1877.  Building  sold 
1921. 

277.  Summerford.  Fellowshipped  (Win.)  1844.  * 

278.  Summit  Station.  Called  the  “Church  of  Our  Mother.” 
After  many  years  of  occasional  preaching  by  Quackenbush  and 
Milburn  this  church  organized  in  1898  and  erected  a  building 
the  same  year.  Pastors  since  that  date  have  been  Pitkin,  Richard¬ 
son,  White,  Colegrove,  Thompson,  Leavitt. 

31.  Sunbury.  See  Berkshire. 

279.  Symm’s  Township.  Organized  about  1843. 

245.  Thompson.  See  Sherman. 

280.  Thornville.  Organized  about  1848. 

281.  Tiffin.  Organized  previous  to  1846. 

282.  Todd’s  Fork.  Fellowshipped  (Miami)  1836. 

283.  Toledo.  Organized  about  1868. 

284.  Townsend.  Organized  previous  to  1847. 

285.  Trenton.  Organized  about  1870. 

286.  Troy.  Organized  previous  to  1847,  and  consisted  of  one 
society  and  two  churches.  Perhaps  it  is  to  be  identified  with 
Hocking. 

125.  Trumball.  See  Harpersfield. 

287.  Uhrichsville.  Organized  about  1868. 

249.  Union  Society  of  Wayne  and  Richland  Counties.  Fel¬ 
lowshipped  (Rich.)  1835. 

84.  Union.  See  Darby. 

288.  Union.  Scioto  Association.  Organized  about  1848. 

289.  Union.  Huron  Association.  Organized  about  1847. 

290.  Universalia.  Organized  a  Sunday  School  1867. 


162  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


291.  Upper  Sandusky.  Fellowshipped  (Conv.)  1878;  reor¬ 
ganized  1890.  The  building  was  sold  in  1916. 

292.  Vienna.  Organized  previous  to  1846  and  erected  a  build¬ 
ing  1847. 

29 3.  Vincent.  Organized  sometime  previous  to  1889;  reor¬ 
ganized  1893  and  fellowshipped  1894. 

294.  Vinton.  The  Masons  and  Universalists  and  others  built 
the  Academy  building  here  in  1858;  in  it  the  Universalists  wor¬ 
shipped.  It  was  the  only  church  in  Vinton  for  many  years. 

295.  Walbridge.  Fellowshipped  1891. 

296.  Waldo.  Organized  previous  to  1847. 

297.  Washington  C.  H.  Fellowshipped  1890. 

298.  Watertown.  Organized  and  erected  a  building  1833 
located  below  the  village.  This  was  burned  in  1857  and  dis¬ 
organization  resulted.  Reorganized  1870  by  McMasters  and 
erected  a  building.  Fellowshipped  (Wash.)  1871.  Building  re¬ 
modeled  1904. 

299.  Wesley.  Organized  about  1833  and  cooperated  in  a  union 
building. 

300.  West  Carlisle.  Organized  1834  and  erected  a  building 
about  1848. 

301.  West  Florence.  Cooperated  with  Christians  in  erecting 
a  building  1859. 

302.  Westfield.  Organized  1830  as  First  Free  Church  in 
Westfield.  Fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1854.  Cooperated  with  Bap¬ 
tists  in  a  union  building. 

303.  Westfield,  Delaware  Co.  Fellowshipped  (Cent.)  1830. 

4.  West  Jefferson.  See  Alder  Chapel. 

304.  West  Unity.  Organized  about  1868. 

305.  Westville.  Organized  previous  to  1836;  reorganized  and 
fellowshipped  (Conv.)  and  erected  a  building  1877. 

306.  White  House.  Organized  about  1868. 

307.  Wilkesville.  Organized  previous  to  1847  and  erected  a 


BRIEF  ITEMS  OF  LOCAL  CHURCH  HISTORY  163 


building  1848.  At  a  later  period  it  was  used  as  a  kind  of  com¬ 
munity  house  and  finally  became  a  private  dwelling. 

308.  Willoughby.  Organized  and  fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1855. 
Erected  a  building  which  was  sold  about  1890,  but  the  organiza¬ 
tion  was  continued. 

309.  Willow  Hill.  Organized  about  1847. 

310.  Windsor.  Organized  1847;  reorganized  1866. 

31 1.  Woodstock.  See  Champaign.  Organized  and  erected  a 
building  1842;  fellowshipped  (W.  R.)  1843.  Reorganized  1863. 
Erected  a  new  building  1895.  The  pastors  have  been  Emmett, 
Wait,  Messenger,  Biddlecome,  Pitrat,  Gifford,  Linnell,  Moore, 
Gooch,  Ebert,  Doolittle,  Sweet,  Henley,  Vibbert,  Soule,  Glover, 
Dutton,  Crosleys,  Day,  Beem,  J.  Carpenter,  Moore,  Colegrove, 
Rexford,  Baker,  Glazier,  Robinson. 

312.  Worthington.  Organized  1846. 

313.  Zanesville.  Organized  about  1834;  erected  a  building  and 
fellowshipped  (Cent.)  1842.  Reorganized  1891.  The  building 
was  sold  in  1915. 


CHAPTER  XVII 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS 

This  chapter  seeks  to  give  a  list  of  all  licensed  or 
ordained  preachers  of  Universalism  in  Ohio,  together 
with  brief  biographical  notes.  The  data  have  been 
secured  in  the  same  manner  as  for  the  churches,  sup¬ 
plemented  by  a  questionnaire.  Accuracy  has  been  the 
goal,  but  the  careful  reader  will  doubtless  discover 
errors  and  omissions. 

The  present  ecclesiastical  laws  provide  for  the 
licensing  of  those  desiring  to  preach.  A  licenciate 
who  has  been  a  successful  pastor  for  one  year  may 
receive  ordination.  An  ordained  minister  from  an¬ 
other  denomination  is  given  fellowship.  In  the  earl¬ 
ier  days  these  terms  were  not  clearly  defined,  and 
thus  will  be  found  to  be  used  interchangeably  in  the 
notes. 

An  asterisk  indicates  that  the  individual  is  still  liv¬ 
ing  (December,  1922).  The  date  in  the  margin  shows 
the  approximate  date  at  which  each  began  preaching 
Universalism  in  Ohio. 

1800  Abel  Morgan  Sargent.  Edited  Free  Universal  Mag¬ 
azine  in  N.  Y.  and  Baltimore  about  1793  after  which 

164 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  165 


he  came  to  Penn,  and  Ohio,  organizing  Halcyon 
Churches.  He  edited  the  Lamp  of  Liberty  in  Cin¬ 
cinnati  about  1829.  He  resided  in  Washington  and 
Gallia  counties  and  later  retired  to  Indiana. 

1814  Timothy  Bigelow.  Came  from  Winchester,  New 
Hampshire,  to  Ohio  in  1814  and  settled  at  Palmyra 
where  he  died  in  1823. 

1815  Reuben  Jones.  A  resident  of  Mantua  who  preached 
Universalism  until  about  1828,  when  he  united  with 
the  Christians. 

1816  Chandler  Rogers.  Came  from  Connecticut  and  lived 
at  Worthington  for  thirty  years.  Preached  in  sur¬ 
rounding  counties. 

1820  Jonathan  Kidwell.  Born  in  Kentucky  in  1779. 
After  preaching  for  the  Methodists  and  later  the 
Christians  he  became  in  1804  a  Universalist  and 
moved  to  Ohio.  He  lived  at  Eaton  in  1825,  at  Cin¬ 
cinnati  from  1829  to  1833,  and  the  remainder  of  his 
life  at  Philomath,  Indiana. 

1821  Truman  Strong.  Born  at  Poultney,  Vermont,  March 
7,  1907.  He  lived  on  a  farm  at  Fredericktown  for 
about  60  years  and  died  there  March  7,  1870.  He 
preached  in  Richland,  Huron,  Wayne  and  Lorain 
counties  and  also  at  the  Jersey  Church. 

1822  John  M.  Baldwin.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Northern 
Association. 

1822  John  Bo(w)yer.  Settled  in  Mesopotamia  in  1808 
and  was  fellowshipped  from  the  Christian  denomi¬ 
nation  by  the  Northern  Association.  He  died  in  1858, 
never  having  been  a  settled  pastor. 

1822  Theophilus  Cotton.  Born  at  Plymouth,  Massa¬ 
chusetts,  in  May  1781.  He  came  with  his  Father, 
Colonel  John  Cotton,  to  Marietta.  He  was  educated 


166  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


for  the  orthodox  ministry  but  became  a  Universalist 
and  declined  settlement.  He  was  ordained  by  the 
Northern  Association  in  1822,  lived  at  Youngstown, 
Austintown  and  Parkman.  During  the  war  of  1812 
he  served  as  Postmaster  and  later  was  Land  Agent 
and  farmer.  He  died  in  November,  1841. 

1822  Nathan  Baldwin  Johnson.  Preached  in  Northern 
Ohio  and  then  went  to  Vermont,  where  he  died  two 
or  three  years  later. 

1822  Ambrose  Perkins.  Fellowshipped  by  the  northern 
Ohio  Association. 

1822  David  St.  Clair.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Northern 
Association,  in  1827  he  moved  to  Geauga  County  and 
there  joined  the  Christian  Church. 

1822  John  Tuttle.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Northern  As¬ 
sociation. 

1822  Ebenezer  Williams.  A  resident  of  Portage.  He 
joined  the  Christian  Church  about  1828. 

1823  Asa  Stearns.  A  resident  of  Athens  county  who 
preached  at  Belpre  and  other  points. 

1824  Hiram  Curry.  A  Baptist  who  became  a  Universalist 
and  about  1828  moved  to  Indiana. 

1826  Eliphalet  Case.  Preached  in  Belpre  during  the 
winter  of  1826  and  then  returned  to  New  Hampshire. 
He  again  came  to  Ohio  about  1842  and  preached  at 
Jersey. 

1826  Daniel  Hawley.  A  Methodist  who  came  to  Eaton 
to  lecture  on  Universalism.  He  found  congenial 
friends  and  remained  to  teach  school  for  some  months, 
after  which  he  mysteriously  disappeared. 

1826  Aylett  Rains.  From  Indiana  to  Chillicothe.  Later 
he  joined  the  Christian  Church. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  167 


1826  Daniel  St.  John.  Preached  at  Eaton. 

1826  Matthias  Croy.  A  resident  of  Gallia  County,  and  a 
follower  of  Sargent.  In  1846  he  was  living  at  Wilkes- 
ville. 

1828  P.  Adams.  Lived  at  Unionville. 

1828  Robert  Huston. 

1828  Abner  H.  Longley.  Born  at  Mason  County,  Ken¬ 
tucky  in  1796,  and  moved  with  his  parents  to  Oxford 
in  1810,  and  later  entered  Oxford  College.  He  was 
an  itinerant  Christian  preacher  but  through  the  influ¬ 
ence  of  Kidwell  he  became  a  Universalist.  He  was 
scholarshipped  in  1841  by  the  Miami  Association,  and 
was  ordained  four  years  later  at  Cincinnati.  He  was 
also  a  cabinet  maker  by  trade.  In  1832  he  moved  to 
Indiana  where  he  served  as  surveyor  and  legislator. 
He  died  at  Paoli,  Kansas  on  May  9,  1879. 

1828  Josiah  Crosby  Waldo.  Born  December  5,  1803. 
Ordained  1827.  Died  August,  1890.  Pastor  at  Cin¬ 
cinnati  from  1828  to  1832. 

1829  Edson  Beels.  Ordained  by  the  Western  Reserve  As¬ 
sociation  in  1833.  A  resident  of  Pierpont,  Ashtabula 
and  Cherry  Valley,  where  he  died  in  1852. 

1829  Alpheus  Sweet.  Preached  in  Marietta,  and  in  1835 
lived  at  Cleveland,  and  had  a  circuit  outside  that 
place.  In  1841  he  went  to  Michigan,  but  soon  re¬ 
turned  to  Ohio.  He  preached  at  Springboro,  Vienna 
Cross  Roads,  Fairfield,  Columbus,  Woodstock,  etc. 

1829  Abraham  Hull.  A  Methodist  of  Troy  who  became 
a  Universalist. 

1830  Amphlett. 

1830  A.  M.  Beard.  A  Christian  minister  of  Jacksonburg, 
Indiana,  who  was  fellowshipped  by  the  General  Con¬ 
vention  of  the  Western  States. 


168  THE  UNIVERS  A  LI  ST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 

1830  George  Cox.  (The  name  is  given  variously  as  George 
N.,  George  R.  and  George  W.  There  may  have  been 
two  men  of  similar  names.)  A  resident  of  Elizabeth¬ 
town,  Virginia,  who  was  fellowshipped  by  a  General 
Convention  of  the  Western  States  from  the  Metho¬ 
dists  in  1836.  He  preached  at  several  places  in  Ohio 
and  Virginia  and  died  at  Lowell,  April  6,  1879. 

1830  M.  Reck.  Preached  at  Princeton,  Lynchburg,  Bell- 
brook,  Hammersville  and  Felicity.  He  was  fellow- 
shipped  by  the  Miami  in  1841  and  withdrew  in  1853. 

1830  William  Yost.  A  Methodist  of  Gotham,  Clermont 
County,  who  was  fellowshipped  by  The  General  Con¬ 
vention  of  the  Western  States. 

1831  Lewis  F.  W.  Andrews.  A  graduate  of  Transylvania 
University  in  medicine  and  practicing  physician  in 
Cleveland  and  Pittsburg.  He  was  the  son  of  a  promi¬ 
nent  Presbyterian  preacher,  but  became  a  Univer- 
salist  about  1831  and  was  ordained  by  the  Western 
Union  Association.  He  preached  as  an  itinerant  in 
Pennsylvania  and  the  southern  states,  dying  at 
Americus,  Georgia,  March  16,  1875. 

1831  Alfred  Carder.  A  resident  of  Williams  Settlement, 
twenty  miles  from  Cincinnati,  who  became  a  Univer- 
salist  and  was  fellowshipped  by  the  Western  Union 
Association. 

1831  Fletcher.  Moved  from  Maine  to  Ohio  and  preached 
at  McConnelsville,  Belpre,  and  Marietta. 

1831  Robert  Smith.  Ordained  by  the  Western  Union 
Association  and  soon  removed  to  Connecticut.  He 
returned  to  Ohio  about  1835  and  preached  in  Hamil¬ 
ton,  Mason,  and  Harrison.  His  peculiar  views  led  to 
his  suspension  and  he  then  moved  to  Kentucky  and 
joined  the  Christian  Church. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  169 


1831  Peter  Yost.  A  resident  of  Goshen,  Clermont  County, 
fellowshipped  by  the  Western  Union  Association. 

1832  Justus  Alexander.  Preached  in  the  Western  Re¬ 
serve  until  about  1844. 

1832  Alfred  W.  Arrington.  A  Methodist  from  Indiana 
who  began  to  preach  Universalism  in  Cincinnati. 

1832  Binnderman.  A  German  orthodox  of  Ashland,  who 
became  a  Universalist  and  preached  to  the  Germans 
of  Pennsylvania. 

1832  Ezekiel  DeWolf.  A  graduate  of  Bangor  and  Har¬ 
vard.  Soon  after  1832  he  went  south  as  a  teacher, 
and  later  to  the  west  and  to  Europe.  His  last  years 
were  spent  at  Parkman,  near  the  scenes  of  his  early 
life. 

1832  Francis  H.  Johnson.  A  Baptist  of  Utica,  New  York, 
who  became  a  Universalist  and  preached  in  Huron 
and  Washington  Counties.  He  withdrew  in  1837. 

1832  Asher  A.  Martin.  A  Newlight  Christian  who  be¬ 
came  a  Universalist. 

1832  Nathan  Wardswortii.  A  Methodist  of  Nelson  who 
became  a  Univeralist  and  was  ordained  by  the  West¬ 
ern  Reserve  Association.  He  also  lived  at  Olmstead 
and  Amelia,  and  later  moved  to  Missouri. 

1833  E.  Gird. 

1833  Daniel  R.  Biddlecome.  Preached  at  Nelson  Flats, 
Erieville,  Perrysburg,  Dayton,  Hamilton,  Mont¬ 
gomery,  Sharon,  etc.  Died  at  Richmond,  Indiana, 
1885. 

1833  Clark.  A  Methodist  of  Norwalk  who  became  a  Uni¬ 
versalist  but  preached  only  a  few  times. 

1833  Asher  A.  Davis.  A  Christian  of  Woodstock  who  be¬ 
came  a  Universalist  and  for  several  years,  although 


170  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


in  poor  health,  was  a  constant  itinerant.  He  lived 
at  Peru,  Sunbury,  Marion,  Worthington,  Columbus, 
and  Zanesville.  In  1840  he  went  to  Massachusetts 
for  a  few  years. 

1833  M.  Fiske.  He  came  from  New  Jersey  to  preach  in 
Springfield. 

1833  J-  J*  Hollister.  A  resident  in  the  Richland  Associa¬ 
tion  until  about  1837. 

1833  S.  W.  H.  Jolly.  Originally  a  Methodist.  He  “trav¬ 
elled  most  of  the  time  through  the  wilderness  of  Ohio, 
preaching  in  private  houses,  school-houses,  barns,  and 
wherever  he  could  find  a  hearing.  He  received  but 
a  small  compensation,  his  whole  soul  was  in  the  work, 
and  he  was  dearly  beloved  by  his  fellow  believers.” 
Among  his  preaching  points  were  Mt.  Vernon,  Colum¬ 
bus,  Jersey,  Belpre. 

1833  Moses  P.  Morgan. 

1833  Rupel  Tomlinson.  Came  from  Western  New  York 
to  the  Western  Reserve. 

1833  Kneeland  Townsend.  Preached  in  the  Western  Re¬ 
serve. 

1833  Jonathan  Martin  Tracy.  Of  Bronson,  was  or¬ 
dained  by  the  Western  Reserve  Association  and  did 
extensive  circuit  work.  He  moved  to  Chardon  the 
next  year.  Upon  being  criticised  for  his  Restoration- 
ist  view,  he  withdrew  to  the  Christians  and  renounced 
Universalism  in  1835. 

1833  Joel  Tuttle.  Ordained  by  the  Washington  Associa¬ 
tion.  He  lived  at  Fearing  for  several  years. 

1833  Morgan  L.  Wisner.  Came  from  Michigan  and  was 
ordained  by  the  Western  Reserve  Association.  In 
1837  he  lived  at  Springfield. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  171 


1834  Dr.  Hiram  Bell.  A  Methodist  Protestant  of  New¬ 
bury  who  became  a  Universalist,  and  was  fellow- 
shipped  by  the  Western  Reserve  Association.  He 
withdrew  in  1848. 

1834  Joseph  Bradley.  Came  from  New  York  to  Chardon 
and  later  lived  at  Windsor  and  Mentor.  He  with¬ 
drew  in  1847. 

1834  George  R.  Brown.  Born  at  Watertown,  New  York, 
October  6,  1806.  He  came  to  Peru  at  the  age  of 
seventeen,  was  fellowshipped  by  the  Richland  Asso¬ 
ciation  in  1834,  and  ordained  the  following  year  by 
the  General  Convention  of  the  Western  States.  After 
a  short  residence  in  Michigan  he  made  Clyde  his 
permanent  home.  He  preached  in  Green  Creek, 
Caledonia,  Belleville,  Mt.  Gilead,  etc.  He  died  at 
Toledo,  May  9,  1873. 

1834  Thomas  Dolloff.  Born  at  New  Hampton,  New 
Hampshire,  March  28,  1786.  In  1807  he  moved  to 
Maine  where  he  left  the  Freewill  Baptists  for  the 
Universalists  and  where  in  1825  he  was  ordained. 
He  came  to  Orange,  Cuyahoga  County,  Ohio  in  1834, 
and  here  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days,  partly  a 
farmer,  partly  a  preacher.  He  died  at  Bedford  De¬ 
cember  10,  1876. 

1834  Nelson  Doolittle.  Toured  Ohio  from  New  York  in 
in  1834,  and  about  1840  moved  to  Akron.  In  1851  he 
moved  to  Pennsylvania. 

1834  William  Y.  Emmet.  Born  in  Virginia,  July  17,  1798, 
the  son  of  a  Methodist  preacher,  and  was  taken  to 
Ohio  at  the  age  of  eight.  He  preached  at  West  Jef¬ 
ferson,  Woodstock,  Oxford,  Columbus,  Springfield, 
Goshen,  Pricetown,  Montgomery,  Cincinnati,  and 
Circleville.  He  held  thirteen  public  debates.  He  died 
at  Springfield,  January  1,  1873. 


172  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1834  Levi  Harris.  A  resident  of  Pennsylvania  who 
preached  in  the  Western  Reserve  for  about  five  years. 

1834  J.  E.  Holmes.  A  resident  of  New  York  who  toured 
the  state  and  later  moved  to  Illinois. 

1834  J.  P.  Owen.  A  resident  of  Amesville,  not  regularly 
employed  as  a  minister.  Licensed  by  the  Washing¬ 
ton  Association  1867. 

1834  George  Rogers.  Born  at  London,  England,  May  5, 
1805.  Originally  an  Episcopalian,  he  became  a  Meth¬ 
odist  preacher,  and  then  in  1830  at  Philadelphia  a 
Universalist.  Toured  Ohio  and  later  moved  to  Cin¬ 
cinnati,  from  which  he  travelled  extensively,  and 
where  he  died  July  6,  1842. 

1835  Ammi  Bond,  Jr.  Born  in  New  England  and  educated 
a  Methodist,  he  became  a  Universalist  during  his 
youth  and  was  ordained  in  Vermont.  He  came  to 
Saybrook  and  Geneva,  Ohio,  from  Carrol,  New  York. 
After  a  short  residence  in  Michigan  he  returned  to 
Ohio  and  preached  in  Conneaut,  Monroe,  Medina,  etc. 
“His  personal  appearance  was  attractive;  he  had  a 
well  formed  head,  a  Grecian  face,  and  the  soul  within 
corresponded  with  the  outer  man.” 

1835  Jesse  Braman.  A  resident  of  New  London  fellow- 
shipped  by  the  Murray  Association. 

1835  David  Culvert.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Central  As¬ 
sociation. 

1835  Enos  Leidy.  A  resident  of  Palmyra  and  Parkman, 
ordained  by  the  Western  Reserve  Association  in  1838, 
and  disfellowshipped  in  1840. 

1835  N.  Carper.  A  Methodist  preacher  who  became  a 
Universalist  and  moved  to  Ohio,  where  he  was  or¬ 
dained  by  the  Western  Union  Association.  Preached 
at  Xenia,  Leesburg,  New  Petersburg,  etc.,  doing 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  173 


manual  labor  during  the  week.  He  died  at  the  latter 
place  May  15,  1869. 

1835  L.  L.  Sadler.  A  resident  of  Perry,  New  York,  who 
toured  Michigan  in  1833  and  Ohio  two  years  later. 
He  soon  moved  to  Columbus  and  then  to  Perrysburg, 
and  also  preached  at  Belpre.  In  1839  he  went  to 
Maine. 

1835  H.  P.  Sage.  For  many  years  a  resident  of  Hunting- 
ton.  He  preached  at  New  London,  Fitchville,  Hart- 
land,  Milan,  Berlin,  Florence,  Brownhelm,  Amherst, 
Henrietta,  West  Carlisle,  Stockport,  Watertown, 
Belpre,  Olmstead,  etc.  He  died  about  1887. 

1835  Taney.  Preached  in  the  Western  Reserve. 

1836  Barnum  (Or  Barnes?).  A  Baptist  of  Huron  County 
who  became  a  Universalist. 

1836  M.  A.  Chappelle.  Born  at  Belpre  in  1809,  the  son 
of  Julius  Chappelle,  a  charter  member  of  the  church 
in  that  place.  He  was  educated  through  the  Univer¬ 
salist  library,  and  prepared  himself  as  a  preacher  and 
editor.  He  edited  the  Christian  Telescope  at  Colum¬ 
bus  in  1836.  His  preaching  field  was  northern  Ohio, 
Pennsylvania,  and  Michigan.  For  a  time  he  lived 
at  Frederickstown. 

1836  Benjam  Gass.  Came  from  Pennsylvania  to  Cincin¬ 
nati  and  there  became  a  Universalist. 

1836  B.  F.  Hitchcock.  The  name  is  also  spelt  Heacock 
and  Hickox.  He  came  from  St.  Lawrence  county, 
New  York,  to  Cleveland,  and  preached  at  various 
points  in  that  part  of  the  state.  In  1863  he  was 
living  at  Conneautville,  Pennsylvania. 

1836  Eusebius  Hoagg.  He  came  from  Pittsburgh  to  Belpre 
and  was  soon  ordained  by  the  General  Convention  of 
the  Western  States.  He  also  preached  at  Ravenna, 


174  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Chardon,  Humphreysville,  Huntsville,  Burton,  and  in 
1846  returned  to  Pennsylvania. 

1836  Stephen  Hull.  A  resident  of  Carlisle,  ordained  by 
the  Ohio  Convention  in  1837.  He  preached  at  Ober- 
lin,  Huron,  Portland,  Olmstead,  La  Porte,  etc.,  up  to 
about  1845. 

1836  H.  S.  Marble.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Richland  As¬ 
sociation.  He  preached  at  Margaretta,  Castalia,  Fred- 
ericktown,  Oxford,  etc.,  and  died  in  Iowa  in  1857. 

1836  James  McKelvey.  A  Baptist  of  Palmyra  who  became 
a  Universalist  and  was  soon  ordained  by  the  West¬ 
ern  Reserve  Association.  He  was  suspended  by  the 
same  body  in  1838. 

1836  George  Messinger.  Born  in  Massachusetts  and  later 
lived  in  New  York,  where  he  was  licensed  in  1824 
and  ordained  two  years  later  at  Eatonbush.  He 
toured  Ohio  and  in  1838  moved  to  Springfield  where 
he  lived  for  practically  all  the  balance  of  his  life, 
although  much  of  his  work  was  at  Ravenna  and 
other  points  in  the  Western  Reserve.  In  1850  he 
withdrew  from  the  ministry,  but  was  refellowshipped 
in  1859.  He  died  about  1873. 

1836  E.  Richardson  (The  initial  is  also  given  as  C.).  A 
resident  of  Rutland.  * 

1836  Theodore  Schreiner.  The  pastor  of  a  congregation 
of  German  immigrants  in  Fearing  township,  Wash¬ 
ington  county.  He  was  already  a  Universalist  in 
theology  but  did  not  discover  the  denomination  until 
1836.  He  maintained  relationship  with  it  as  late  as 

1845- 

1836  Daniel  Tillotson.  Born  1794.  He  became  a  Baptist 
minister  in  New  York,  and  then  came  to  Huron 
county,  where  he  became  a  Universalist,  and  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  175 


fellowshipped  by  the  Murray  Association.  He  lived 
at  Huntington  until  his  death  in  1857. 

1836  William  West.  Pastor  at  Cincinnati  from  1836  to 
1839,  and  continued  to  live  there  for  several  years 
afterwards. 

1837  James  Billings.  A  New  Yorker  who  toured  Ohio. 

1837  Timothy  J.  Crowe.  Preached  in  Belpre,  Gallipolis, 
and  Worthington. 

1837  S.  A.  Davis.  Moved  from  Baltimore  to  Pittsburgh  in 
1835,  and  toured  Ohio.  In  1838  he  moved  to  Akron 
and  preached  there  and  at  Worthington,  Circleville, 
Columbus,  etc. 

1837  Reuben  Farley.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Murray 
Association  in  1837  and  ordained  by  the  Richland  As¬ 
sociation  in  1838.  He  lived  at  Greenwich  until  his 
death  in  1859,  preaching  throughout  the  northern  part 
of  the  State. 

1837  P.  P.  Fowler.  Moved  from  Plato,  New  York,  to 
Parkman,  and  preached  also  at  Conneaut.  In  1858 
he  withdrew  and  moved  to  Kansas. 

1837  Thomas  H.  Johnson.  A  resident  of  Cincinnati  until 
his  death  in  1900.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Miami  As¬ 
sociation  in  1841. 

1837  Freeman  Loring.  Early  in  life  he  was  a  sailor. 
Moved  from  New  Hampshire  to  Brimfield.  He 
preached  at  Akron,  Medina,  Weymouth,  and  Hillsboro 
where  he  died  in  1851. 

1837  Enoch  Merrill  Pingree.  Born  in  Littleton,  New 
Hampshire,  May  9,  1817.  He  started  for  the  far 
west  but  decided  to  remain  in  Ohio.  He  was  fellow- 
shipped  by  the  Central  Association  in  1838  and  or¬ 
dained  at  Cincinnati  in  1839.  He  preached  there, 


176  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


organizing  a  second  society,  and  at  Montgomery  and 
Springfield.  He  died  at  Louisville  in  1849. 

1837  Marcus  T.  Sage. 

1837  J.  Spencer.  A  resident  of  Milton. 

1837  Daniel  Tenny.  Preached  at  Carlisle,  La  Porte, 

Independence,  etc.  Died  about  1875. 

1837  Jacob  Whitney.  Born  in  1809,  and  began  to  preach 
in  1831,  becoming  an  itinerant.  He  lived  in  Ohio 
City  and  Akron  from  1837  until  1840  when  he  moved 
to  New  York.  He  enlisted  in  the  army  and  died  at 
Frederick,  Maryland,  April  21,  1864. 

1837  George  Woolfe.  A  Tunker  preacher  of  Adams 

County.  He  and  his  Church  were  Universalist  in 
belief  and  did  not  fellowship  the  non-universalist 
Tunkers  of  Pennsylvania. 

1838  Alvan  Dinsmore.  Principal  of  the  Universalist  In¬ 
stitute  at  Ohio  City,  1838-42,  and  also  preached  at 
Cleveland.  Principal  of  the  Sharon  Academy  for 
several  years. 

1838  John  A.  Gurley.  Born  at  East  Hartford,  Connecti¬ 
cut,  and  preached  in  Maine  and  Massachusetts.  In 
1838  he  moved  to  Cincinnati  and  purchased  the  Star 
in  the  West,  which  he  edited  for  several  years.  He 
served  two  terms  in  Congress  as  a  Representative 
from  Ohio  and  was  later  appointed  Governor  of 
Arizona.  He  died  in  Cincinnati  in  August,  1863. 

1838  G.  C.  McCune.  From  Woodsboro,  Maryland,  to 
Dayton,  in  1838.  Disfellowshipped  by  the  Mont¬ 
gomery  Association  on  charges  of  anger  and  violence, 
but  was  soon  restored.  He  organized  the  New  Paris 
Church. 

1838  Hiram  Torrey.  A  resident  of  Ravenna  who  was 
fellowshipped  and  ordained  by  the  Western  Reserve 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  177 


Association.  He  moved  to  New  York  in  1839,  but 
returned  in  1844  and  preached  at  Zanesville,  McCon- 
nelsville,  etc.,  withdrawing  in  1850. 

1839  James  A.  N.  Gooch.  An  itinerant.  He  withdrew  in 
1847. 

1839  Erasmus  Manford.  An  itinerant  who  came  from 
Massachusetts  to  Cincinnati  and  Dayton.  He  later 
went  on  to  Indiana,  St.  Louis,  and  Chicago,  in  all 
of  which  places  he  was  editor  and  preacher. 

1839  Alfred  Peck.  A  resident  of  western  New  York  who 
preached  in  Ohio. 

1839  J.  Sargent.  Lived  in  Akron  until  about  1842. 

1839  Charles  L.  Shipman.  Born  Gustavus,  O.,  Sept.  17, 
1818.  Began  preaching  at  Brimfield  and  Franklin, 
and  soon  fellowshipped  by  the  Western  Reserve  As¬ 
sociation.  Also  preached  at  Gustavus,  Andover, 
Norwalk,  Olmstead,  and  Cleveland.  He  later  moved 
to  Girard,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  died  in  1904. 

1839  I.  Wood. 

1840  William  Atkinson.  A  Methodist  Protestant  of 
Cincinnati  who  became  a  Universalist  and  preached 
for  about  five  years,  with  the  fellowship  of  the  Miami 
Association. 

1840  H.  H.  Burr.  Preached  in  the  Western  Reserve. 

1840  Joseph  Clark.  A  Baptist  of  Washington  County  who 
became  a  Universalist,  and  preached  at  Mt.  Healthy, 
Mt.  Pleasant,  etc.,  and  in  Virginia. 

1840  E.  R.  Crocker.  Preached  in  the  Western  Reserve. 

1840  Dean.  Came  from  New  York  to  the  vicinity  of  Cin¬ 
cinnati. 

1840  N.  Murray  Gaylord.  Studied  in  Cincinnati  and  en¬ 
tered  the  ministry,  preaching  in  Hamilton  and  Mason. 


178  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


He  then  lived  in  St.  Louis  and  Massachusetts,  return¬ 
ing  in  1852  to  Columbus.  He  again  moved  to  Mas¬ 
sachusetts  where  he  served  two  terms  in  the  state 
legislature. 

1840  Henry  Gifford.  Came  from  the  east  and  preached 
in  Middletown,  Oxford,  Hamilton,  Galena,  Jersey, 
Reynoldsburg,  Columbus,  etc.  He  died  about  1887. 

1840  Henry  Kellog.  Fellowshipped  and  ordained  in  1842 
and  preached  at  Kirtland,  Newton  Falls,  Mesopotamia, 
Morgan,  Rock  Creek,  etc.  Withdrew  1853. 

1840  J.  C.  Miller.  A  student  preacher  in  the  vicinity 
of  Cincinnati. 

1840  E.  M.  Stone.  Moved  from  Massachusetts  to  Cin¬ 
cinnati. 

1841  C.  P.  Mallory.  An  itinerant. 

1841  Daniel  Parker.  A  Restorationist  of  Cincinnati  who 
preached  extensively  in  southwestern  Ohio. 

1841  N.  H.  Ripley.  Preached  in  Richmond  and  Brimfield. 

1841  Lewis  C.  Todd.  The  son  of  Caleb  Todd,  a  Baptist 
preacher,  who  had  become  a  Universalist  in  West¬ 
ern  New  York.  L.  C.  Todd  lived  at  Parkman  and 
was  fellowshipped  by  the  Western  Reserve  Associ¬ 
ation,  withdrawing  in  1853. 

1841  S.  J.  Eno. 

1841  George  Trusdale  Flanders,  D.D.  Born  June  28, 
1824  and  ordained  in  1843.  Preached  in  Beverly, 
Zanesville,  Marietta,  Dayton,  and  Cincinnati. 

1842  Cornelius  Arbogast.  A  resident  of  Vienna,  fellowr- 
shipped  and  ordained  by  the  Winchester  Association 
in  1844  and  1849.  Preached  in  Vienna,  New  Pales¬ 
tine,  Catawba,  Pharisburg,  etc.  Withdrew  in  1858 
and  died  about  1884. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  179 


1842  A.  W.  Bruce.  Born  Bennington,  Vermont,  in  1812, 
and  became  a  physician  in  Chillicothe.  He  was  edu¬ 
cated  for  the  Methodist  ministry,  but  became  a  Uni- 
versalist,  and  was  ordained  August  13,  1843.  He 
preached  in  Ravenna  and  Columbus,  and  also  in  other 
western  states,  dying  at  Woodville,  Indiana,  August 
19,  1871. 

1842  Thurston  Carr.  Preached  in  Springfield. 

1842  J.  N].  Case.  Also  called  I.  N.  Case.  A  resident  of 
Worthington,  fellowshipped  in  1842. 

1842  James  Cowan.  A  Methodist  of  East  Liberty  who 
became  a  Universalist.  He  withdrew  in  1845. 

1842  Anson  Harrow.  Of  Raymond’s  Post  Office,  fellow- 
shipped  and  ordained  by  the  Winchester  Association 
in  1843  and  1844.  He  lived  for  several  years  at 
Newtown. 

1842  M.  L.  Edwards,  Jr.  Lived  at  Belpre  and  preached 
in  that  vicinity  for  several  years. 

1842  Andrew  Eppert.  The  name  is  also  spelt  Ebert.  A 
resident  of  St.  Paris,  ordained  by  the  Winchester 
Association  in  1843.  He  preached  also  at  Jackson  and 
Montgomery. 

1842  J.  Fisher.  A  Methodist  of  Worthington  who  became 
a  Universalist. 

1. 

# 

1842  Benjamin  F.  Foster.  A  resident  of  Cincinnati  who 
began  to  preach  and  soon  moved  to  Indiana. 

1842  Thomas  Gilmore.  The  name  is  also  spelt  Gilmer. 
Fellowshipped  by  the  Miami  Association  and  preached 
in  New  Richmond,  Chillicothe,  Leesburg,  etc. 

1842  Simon  Hovey.  A  resident  of  Cincinnati.  Preached 
in  Fredericktown,  LeRoy,  Painesville,  Rutland, 
Middleport,  Wheelersburg,  Mentor.  Retired  in  1883 
and  died  about  1894. 


180  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1842  James  Riley  Johnson.  Born  in  Ohio.  He  was 
licensed  in  1842,  ordained  at  Peru,  May  25,  1844,  and 
preached  in  Delaware,  Marion,  Norwalk,  Marietta, 
and  also  in  New  York. 

1842  C.  Landon.  A  Methodist  layman  of  Worthington 
who  preached  for  the  Universalists  three  years  and 
then  returned  to  the  Methodists. 

1842  A.  G.  Laurie.  Preached  in  Montgomery  and  Mason 
and  later  went  to  Canada. 

1842  A.  B.  Leftwick.  A  Christian  of  West  Alexander 
who  became  a  Universalist  and  preached  at  New 
Paris.  He  withdrew  in  1844. 

1842  Thomas  Ogden  Stonemetts.  A  resident  of  Cin¬ 
cinnati,  fellowshipped  by  the  First  Association  of 
Indiana. 

1842  C.  B.  Thorp.  A  Baptist  of  New  Richmond  who  be¬ 
came  a  Universalist  and  moved  to  Amelia. 

1842  C.  S.  Webber.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Miami  Asso¬ 
ciation  and  preached  in  Sinking  Spring,  Leesburg, 
Rutland,  Sheffield,  Wilkesville,  Gallipolis.  After  about 
ten  years  he  moved  to  Missouri. 

1842  Jay  Wheaton.  A  student  at  Oberlin  who  preached 
for  the  Universalists  about  three  years. 

1843  Anderson.  Preached  at  Columbus. 

1843  N.  M.  Byington.  An  itinerant  with  headquarters  at 
Cincinnati.  Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana,  in  Feb¬ 
ruary,  1873. 

1843  George  H.  Emerson.  Entered  the  ministry  in  Mas¬ 
sachusetts  and  soon  came  to  Cleveland.  He  also 
preached  at  Dayton,  and  moved  from  the  state  about 
1847. 

1843  William  B.  Linnell.  Born  at  Birmingham,  Eng- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  181 


land,  in  1804.  He  was  a  blacksmith  at  Woodstock, 
and  there  became  a  Universalist  and  entered  the 
ministry  and  was  ordained  by  the  Winchester  Asso¬ 
ciation.  He  also  preached  at  Mechanicsburg,  Spring- 
boro,  St.  Paris,  Springfield,  Bellbrook,  Ridgeville, 
Xenia,  Lebanon,  and  in  Indiana  and  Illinois.  He  was 
Chaplain  in  the  Tenth  Illinois,  and  died  at  Indian¬ 
apolis,  September  6,  1868. 

1843  Cyrus  Filmore  Wait.  Fellowshipped  and  ordained 
by  the  Winchester  Association.  He  lived  at  Wood- 
stock  for  several  years  and  also  preached  at  Spring- 
field,  Pharisburg,  and  Plain  City.  He  died  in  1865. 

1844  Isaac  George.  Came  from  New  York  and  preached 
at  Ferrysburg  and  Springville  for  a  few  years.  He 
was  also  in  the  state  for  a  brief  period  in  1876. 

1844  J.  Clark.  Preached  at  Olive  for  a  few  years. 

1844  T.  C.  Eaton.  He  came  from  New  York  and  preached 
at  Newark,  Marietta,  McConnellsville,  Jersey,  Co¬ 
lumbus,  Belpre,  Beverly,  etc.  He  also  canvassed  for 
the  Marietta  Liberal  Institute. 

1844  I.  Kelso.  Became  a  Universalist  and  preached  for 
a  few  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  orthodoxy. 

1844  Zenas  Martin.  A  resident  of  Plain  City  who  was 
fellowshipped  by  the  Winchester  Association.  He 
died  about  1846. 

1844  William  D.  W.  Mitchell.  Fellowshipped  by  the 
Winchester  Association  and  preached  at  Woodstock, 
Milford,  and  Newton. 

1843  Elisha  Dayton.  Born  near  Riverhead,  Long  Island, 
February  3,  1817,  and  moved  during  youth  to  western 
New  York.  He  was  educated  at  Allegheny  College, 
Meadville,  Pennsylvania.  Originally  orthodox,  he  be¬ 
came  a  Universalist  through  his  study  of  the  Greek 
Testament,  and  during  his  student  days  preached  at 


182  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Andover,  Akron,  Ashtabula,  Monroe,  etc.,  often  en¬ 
gaging  in  debate.  Later  he  itinerated  in  Pennsylvania, 
Kentucky,  and  Illinois.  He  died  at  Marengo,  Illinois, 
in  August,  1884. 

1844  J.  W.  Moffit.  Preached  at  Richmondale. 

1844  Elihu  Moore.  A  Baptist  of  Miami  who  became  a 
Universalist  and  preached  at  Troy,  Locust  Grove, 
Conover,  Eldorado,  Princeton,  New  Vienna,  Edwards- 
ville,  and  many  other  places.  His  fellowship  was 
from  the  Winchester  Association.  He  was  an  organ¬ 
izer  of  several  churches. 

1844  Lemuel  F.  Moore  (or  Monroe?).  Ordained  at  Cale¬ 
donia,  November  23,  1845.  Attended  the  sessions  of 
the  Convention  for  sixteen  years. 

1844.  J.  S.  Palmer.  Preached  at  Brimfield. 

1844  E.  P.  Preston.  Preached  at  McConnellsville,  Green 
Creek,  Wilkesville,  Higgensport,  etc.  There  were 
possibly  two  men  of  similar  name  and  initials. 

1844  Aaron  Rogers.  Ordained  at  Peru,  May  25,  1844. 
Preached  at  Huron,  Berlin,  and  Peru. 

1844  Samson  Runion.  A  resident  of  Tremont  who  was 
fellowshipped  by  the  Winchester  Association.  He 
preached  at  Wapaconnetta  and  Quincy  and  withdrew 
in  1856. 

1844  Alonzo  Smeed.  Preached  in  Peru,  Steuben,  Shelby, 
Mansfield,  Fredericktown,  Huron,  etc. 

1844  Talcott. 

1844  Sampson  Tener.  A  resident  of  Sinking  Springs.  He 
died  about  1884. 

1844  Abel  Charles  Thomas.  Born  at  Exeter,  Pennsyl¬ 
vania,  May  5,  1807,  ordained  in  1839,  and  died  Sep- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  183 


tember  27,  1880.  He  was  pastor  at  Cincinnati  for 
nearly  three  years. 

1844  Francis  Williamson.  A  resident  of  Montgomery. 

1845  N.  Adams. 

1845  S.  Adams. 

1845  William  Bates.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Winchester 
Association  and  preached  at  Springfield  and  Summer- 
ford. 

1845  Simon  Peter  Carlton.  Born  in  Mahoning  County 
in  1816  and  educated  at  West  Farmington.  He  was 
brought  up  a  Calvinist,  but  early  became  a  Univer- 
salist,  and  was  ordained  by  the  Western  Reserve  As¬ 
sociation  in  1845.  He  preached  in  Parkman,  Will¬ 
oughby,  Springfield,  New  Paris,  Mt.  Gilead,  and 
many  other  places,  as  well  as  in  Kentucky,  Indiana, 
and  West  Virginia.  In  1874  he  moved  to  Pennsyl¬ 
vania  for  two  years.  He  was  a  great  debater,  and 
held  forty-seven  public  controversies,  usually  from 
three  to  six  days  each.  He  died  in  Columbus  in 
1899. 

1845  Charles  G.  Cox.  After  preaching  in  Virginia  and 
Kentucky  he  came  to  Ohio  and  lived  at  Wilkesville 
and  Byington  until  about  1876. 

1845  W.  Ebert.  A  resident  of  Amelia.  (Also  spelt  Eppert). 

1845  J-  Farewell.  A  resident  of  Gorham.  He  withdrew 
in  1855. 

1845  Nathan  B.  Johnson  (See  the  same  name  under  date 
of  1822;  it  is  difficult  to  separate  the  facts  about 
them).  Lived  at  Chesterville.  He  died  in  1853. 

1845  M.  C.  Kellum.  Lived  at  Shelby. 

1845  L.  B.  Lathrope.  Preached  at  Richfield  and  White- 
ford.  He  withdrew  in  1855. 


184  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1845  Lockwood.  Lived  at  Richmondale. 

1845  J-  Mendell. 

1845  A.  F.  Root.  Fellowshipped  and  ordained  (1848)  by 
the  Maumee  Association.  He  preached  at  Gorham, 
Evansport,  Harmar,  and  Mt.  Gilead. 

1845  J-  Snooks.  Lived  at  Lebanon. 

1846  Davis  Bacon.  Born  at  Greenfield,  Massachusetts,  and 
fellowshipped  in  Kentucky.  He  preached  in  Rut¬ 
land,  Mt.  Healthy,  Hillsboro,  Hamilton,  Carthage, 
Reading,  etc.  In  1853  he  moved  to  Pittsburgh,  but 
preached  at  Cleveland  and  other  points  in  the  Western 
Reserve.  He  died  at  Trinidad,  Colorado,  January 
10,  1871. 

1846  Humphrey  Bromley.  Born  in  North  Wales,  May  5, 
1796.  He  became  a  Methodist  preacher  in  1813,  trans¬ 
ferred  to  the  Unitarians  in  1827,  and  in  1833  came  to 
the  United  States.  After  spending  some  time  in 
Cleveland,  Norwalk,  and  Sandusky,  he  settled  in  Re¬ 
public  in  1837,  where  he  finally  identified  himself 
with  the  Universalists.  He  died  at  Republic,  De¬ 
cember  13,  1876. 

1846  T.  G.  Bisbee. 

1846  J.  E.  Bruce.  A  resident  of  Cass.  He  also  preached 
at  Cincinnati  and  Oxford,  and  in  Kentucky. 

1846  James  M.  Brunson.  A  resident  of  Cass. 

1846  Alpheus  Bull.  Came  from  Bullville,  New  York  to 
Cincinnati,  where  he  began  to  preach  in  that  city  and 
at  Dayton.  He  soon  moved  to  Indiana. 

1846  T.  Cheney.  A  resident  of  Farmer’s  Station. 

1846  J.  G.  Forman.  Came  from  Westchester  County,  New 
York.  He  commenced  to  study  for  the  ministry,  but 
turned  to  the  law,  which  he  practiced  two  years  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  185 


Cincinnati.  He  commenced  his  ministry  at  Akron, 
but  soon  moved  to  New  Hampshire. 

1846  Thomas  A.  Freeman.  A  resident  of  Montgomery. 

1846  L.  Frank  Monroe.  Ordained  at  Caledonia  and 
preached  at  Waldo,  Lewiston,  Quincy,  Casstown, 
Vienna  Cross  Roads,  etc.  He  died  about  1863. 

1846  Osburn.  A  resident  of  Meigs  (or  Meads)  Creek. 

1846  Henry  P.  Scott.  A  resident  of  Aurelius.  He  died  at 
Marietta  in  1847. 

1846  J.  W.  Towner.  A  resident  of  Dover.  He  also 
preached  at  Dover  and  Westfield. 

1846  George  S.  Weaver.  Lived  at  Dayton  and  fellow- 
shipped  and  ordained  by  the  Winchester  Association. 
He  preached  at  Springfield,  Marietta,  Akron,  and  in 
several  other  states.  He  was  also  an  editor  of  the 
“Quarterly  Journal  and  Review”  in  1846. 

1846  E.  R.  Wood.  He  preached  at  Westfield,  Peru,  Cale¬ 
donia,  Kenton,  Republic,  Windsor,  and  in  other  states. 

1847  J-  W.  Bryant.  A  resident  of  Oberlin.  He  was  dis- 
fellowshipped  in  1849. 

1847  J*  H.  Campbell.  Preached  at  Cleveland,  Painesville, 
and  in  Pennsylvania. 

1847  A.  R.  Ceervault.  The  name  is  also  spelt  Curvault. 
Originally  a  Baptist,  then  a  Christian,  and  finally  a 
Universalist.  He  lived  at  Paintersville. 

1847  G.  Craven.  Preached  at  Oxford,  Wilkesville,  Rut¬ 
land,  Sheffield,  Gallipolis. 

1847  S.  S.  Curtiss.  Came  from  Michigan  to  Perrysburg. 
He  also  lived  at  Toledo  and  Cleveland. 

1847.  B  R-  Henry.  The  initials  are  also  given  as  J.  R.  and 
T.  R.  He  preached  at  Sharon  Center,  Olmstead,  etc., 
and  withdrew  in  1858. 


186  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1847  Jonathan  Holliday.  Died  at  Hartland  in  this  year 
at  the  age  of  eighty. 

1847  A.  W.  Jewett.  Came  from  Michigan  and  was  fel- 
lowshipped  by  the  Maumee  Association.  He  preached 
at  Toledo  and  Perrysburg,  dying  at  the  latter  place  in 
1854. 

1847  Henry  Jewell.  Born  May  18,  1812,  and  ordained 
August  24,  1836.  He  was  pastor  at  Cincinnati  for 
four  years. 

1847  W.  Kemp.  A  resident  of  Fletcher. 

1847  William  W.  Norton.  Fellowshipped  and  ordained 
by  the  Winchester  Association.  He  preached  at 
Woodstock,  Milford  Center,  Unionville,  Plain  City, 
Liberty,  Flint,  etc.,  and  left  the  state  about  1871. 

1847  J.  Nostrant.  Lived  at  Mullet  Creek.  He  withdrew 
in  1856. 

1847  S.  Spaulding.  A  resident  of  Plato. 

1847  W.  E.  Thompson.  Preached  at  La  Porte  and  Inde¬ 
pendence. 

1847  D.  B.  Turner.  Ordained  by  the  Winchester  Asso¬ 
ciation.  He  preached  at  Akron,  Springfield,  and  Ox¬ 
ford. 

1848  Thomas  Ballinger.  A  resident  of  Mt.  Vernon,  and 
a  Christian,  who  became  a  Universalist. 

1848  William  C.  Brooks.  Preached  in  Hamilton,  Oxford, 
etc.,  and  in  Indiana  and  other  states.  He  died  in 
Florida  in  1902. 

1848  Hiram  Brown.  Born  1785.  He  was  fellowshipped 
by  the  Maumee  Association  and  died  in  1852. 

1848  Elias  Longley.  The  son  of  A.  H.  Longley.  He 
withdrew  in  1850  to  enter  upon  a  literary  career.  See 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  187 


‘The  Beginnings  of  Literary  Culture  in  the  Ohio 
Valley,”  page  108. 

1848  Benard  Peters.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Washington 
Association  and  preached  in  Belpre,  Marietta,  Sun- 
fish,  etc. 

1848  Josiah  Upson.  Born  in  New  England  in  1818  and 
graduated  from  Yale  and  from  the  Ohio  Medical 
College.  Originally  a  Presbyterian,  he  became  a 
Universalist  and  preached  for  the  second  church  in 
Cincinnati  and  in  Dayton.  Between  these  pastorates 
he  spent  about  five  years  in  California.  He  died 
at  Dayton  in  1856. 

1848  H.  D.  L.  Webster.  He  came  to  Zanesville  from 
Kentucky,  and  later  preached  in  Ravenna.  During 
the  war  he  became  an  army  physician,  after  which 
he  again  returned  to  Ravenna  and  to  the  ministry. 
He  also  preached  in  other  states. 

1849  Z.  Baker.  Lived  at  Akron. 

1849  H.  Barry. 

1849  William  Rogers  Chamberlain.  Born  at  Brookfield, 
New  Hampshire,  licensed  in  that  state  in  1844,  and 
ordained  in  Massachusetts  in  1847.  He  preached  for 
two  years  in  the  Virginia  backwoods,  and  then  came 
to  Cincinnati  as  a  bookkeeper.  During  his  residence 
here  he  was  an  occasional  preacher.  He  returned 
to  the  ministry  in  1867  in  Illinois  and  died  at  Clinton, 
New  York,  April  28,  1876. 

1849  J-  S.  Flagler.  Originally  Dutch  Reformed,  he  be¬ 
came  a  Universalist  in  New  York.  He  lived  at  Con- 
neaut  for  several  years. 

1849  James  W.  Lower.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Murray  As¬ 
sociation.  He  lived  at  St.  Paris. 

1849  O.  D.  Miller.  A  resident  of  Republic. 


188  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1849  William  P.  Neeld.  A  Methodist  who  became  a 
Universalist. 

1849  0.  F.  R.  Shehane.  Moved  from  Monroeville  to  Ala¬ 
bama. 

1850  William  S.  Bacon.  A  brother  of  Davis  Bacon. 
Born  at  Greenfield,  Massachusetts,  in  1818.  He  was 
a  teacher  in  Kentucky  and  began  to  preach  at  Mt. 
Healthy.  He  was  fellowshipped  by  the  Miami  Asso¬ 
ciation.  For  a  time  he  was  manager  of  the  Star  in 
the  West  and  later  of  the  Longworth  Estate.  He 
died  in  Chicago  in  September,  1908. 

i8so  T.  Buchanan.  Lived  in  Columbus.  He  withdrew  in 

1853- 

1850  Paul  Raymond  Kendall.  Born  Phillipston,  Mass., 
August  27,  1822.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Washington 
Association.  He  was  principal  of  the  Western  Liberal 
Institute  (at  Marietta),  and  was  later  connected  with 
the  Illinois  Liberal  Institute,  Smithson  College  (In¬ 
diana),  Clinton  Liberal  Institute  (N.  Y.)  and  the 
Weston  Liberal  Institute  (Mo.).  He  died  in  1897. 

1850  John  Martling.  A  Methodist  who  became  a  Uni¬ 
versalist. 

i8so  R.  Rickey.  A  resident  of  Athens.  He  died  about 

1853. 

1850  D.  H.  Strickland. 

1850  John  G.  Thompson.  Lived  at  Hicksville. 

1851  Thompson  Barron.  The  name  is  also  spelt  Barrow. 
Born  at  Billerica,  Massachusetts,  April  17,  1816,  and 
fellowshipped  in  that  state  in  1836.  He  came  from 
New  Hampshire  to  Dayton,  and  two  years  later  moved 
to  Belpre.  In  1856  he  went  to  Iowa.  He  died  at 
Sutton.  New  Hampshire,  January  4,  1870. 

1850  C.  A.  Bradley.  Pastor  of  the  Second  Church  at  Cin- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  189 


cinnati  for  six  months.  Born  in  Massachusetts  in 
1822,  ordained  1845,  died  1906.  This  was  his  only 
western  pastorate. 

1851  W.  W.  Curry.  Began  to  preach  in  Kentucky  about 
1845.  He  lived  in  Oxford  for  about  five  years,  and 
then  moved  to  Indiana.  His  later  life  was  spent  in 
government  service  in  Washington. 

1851  Nathan  Kendall.  Lived  at  Marietta. 

1851  Asa  Marble.  Born  1795.  A  resident  of  Bedford. 
He  died  at  Trumbull  in  1857. 

1851  George  Washington  Quimby,  D.D.  Born  at  Sac- 
carappa,  Maine,  December  20,  1811,  ordained  in 
1837,  and  died  January  10,  1884.  He  was  pastor  at 
Cincinnati  for  about  two  years. 

1851  J.  C.  Pitrat.  A  French  physician  and  member  of  the 
University  of  France,  who  edited  a  daily  paper  for 
the  Revolution,  and  was  sent  to  establish  colleges  in 
the  colonies.  Losing  his  job,  he  came  to  the  United 
States  and  settled  in  Cincinnati.  He  left  the  Roman 
Catholic  church  and  joined  the  Universalists. 

1852  J.  D.  Bacon.  Lived  at  Oxford. 

1852  Desher.  Lived  at  Castine. 

1852  James  W.  McMaster.  Born  at  Prospect,  New  York, 
August  1,  1821.  A  missionary  and  organizer.  He 
preached  in  Marietta,  Belpre,  Beverly,  Berne,  Salem, 
Watertown,  Dunham,  Barlow,  etc.  His  old  age  was 
spent  in  Charlestown,  West  Virginia. 

1852  M.  M.  Utley. 

1853  G.  W.  Allen.  The  initials  are  also  given  as  W.  G. 
and  as  G.  M. 

I^53  Robinson  Breare.  Born  Addingham,  Yorkshire, 
England,  June  17,  1810.  As  a  Wesleyan  he  first 


190  THE  UNI  VERS  ALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


preached  in  1827  and  was  ordained  in  1832.  He  was 
sent  to  the  Shetland  Islands  in  1833,  to  Edinburgh  in 
1836,  to  Manchester  in  1838,  and  to  Halifax  in  1839. 
Here  he  became  a  Universalist  and  dedicated  the  first 
church  of  that  name  in  Canada  in  1844.  He  then  went 
to  Massachusetts  and  came  to  Cincinnati  in  1853.  He 
preached  in  Middleport,  Goshen,  Marietta,  Man¬ 
chester,  and  throughout  Gallia  County. 

1853  Samuel  Binns.  Born  in  Lancashire,  England,  Au¬ 
gust  22,  1816.  He  came  to  New  York  in  1837  and 
to  Leroy,  Ohio,  in  1843.  Here  he  became  a  Univer¬ 
salist  and  prepared  himself  for  the  ministry,  receiv¬ 
ing  fellowship  from  the  Huron  Association.  He  lived 
at  Amity,  New  Way,  Independence,  and  Fayette, 
preaching  over  a  wide  field  around  each  of  these 
places.  He  was  a  frequent  debater.  He  died  at 
Fayette,  June  17,  1889.  See  the  Ohio  Universalist 
for  February,  1919,  page  3. 

1853  John  H.  Curtis.  Lived  at  Cincinnati  and  Cleveland. 

1853  M.  M.  Preston.  Came  from  Massachusetts  and  died 
the  same  year. 

1853  G.  W.  Van  Vleck.  Lived  at  Springfield. 

1854  Bamber. 

1854  A.  Bosserman.  Preached  at  Zanesville,  Springfield, 
and  Dayton. 

1854  R.  K.  Brush.  Came  from  Pennsylvania  to  Hamilton, 
where  he  lived  for  about  two  years. 

1854  William  Gillard.  A  resident  of  Cincinnati. 

1854  P.  Smith.  Lived  at  Huntsburg. 

1855  Elisha  Dick.  Born  in  Frederick  County,  Maryland, 
January,  1820.  He  came  to  Pickaway  county  in 
1830  and  later  moved  to  Adams  township,  Champaign 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  191 


county,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1899.  He 
was  ordained  in  1856,  but  never  gave  full  time  to  the 
ministry,  and  preached  without  compensation. 

1855  Harvey  Evans.  Lived  at  Woodstock  and  fellow- 
shipped  by  the  Winchester  Association. 

1855  Francis  E.  Hicks.  Preached  at  Marietta  and  Belpre. 

1855  A.  D.  Mayo.  Preached  at  Cleveland. 

1855  R-  McArthur.  Preached  in  the  Western  Reserve. 

1 855  Jacob  Tener.  Lived  at  Sinking  Springs  and  preached 
for  a  few  years.  In  1877  his  license  was  renewed. 

1855  F-  C.  Wagoner.  Lived  at  Cincinnati. 

1856  *Henry  Lovell  Canfield,  D.D.  Born  at  Austerlitz, 
N.  Y.,  May  20,  1828.  In  1834  he  came  to  Kirtland  to 
live  with  his  grandparents.  Part  of  his  youth  was 
spent  also  in  Gustavus,  Newbury,  and  in  Michigan. 
He  was  licensed  in  1857  by  the  Western  Reserve 
Association  and  ordained  at  Brimfield  in  1859. 
Brought  up  among  the  Methodists,  he  had  become  a 
Universalist  in  the  ’50s.  In  an  early  period  of  his 
ministry  he  preached  45  times,  travelled  600  miles, 
devoted  three  months  of  his  time,  and  received  $36. 
He  was  pastor  at  Conneautville  (1862),  Peru  (1864), 
Norwalk  (1867),  Mt.  Gilead  (1878),  Belleville  (1881), 
and  State  Superintendent  (1888).  In  1903  he  moved 
to  California,  continuing  actively  in  the  ministry. 

1856  Nathaniel  Crary.  Ordained  in  Ohio  and  preached 
in  Milford.  He  lived  in  Indiana  for  a  number  of 
years,  and  retired  to  a  farm  at  Edgerton  about  1883, 
where  he  died  October  7,  1891. 

1856  J.  Hazard  Hartzell.  Lived  in  Cincinnati  for  a  few 
years  and  then  left  the  state. 

1856  H.  R.  Nye.  Came  from  New  York  and  preached  in 
Columbus,  Mt.  Gilead,  Yellow  Springs,  etc. 


192  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1857  James  Gallagher.  Came  from  Pennsylvania  to  Ham¬ 
ilton,  where  he  died  within  a  few  months. 

1857  J.  M.  Holmes.  Lived  at  Guilford. 

1857  N.  B.  Johnson,  Jr.  Lived  at  Bartmertown.  He  died 
shortly  after  beginning  to  preach. 

1857  B.  L.  Luce. 

1857  George  H.  Vibbert.  Born  in  Massachusetts  October 
4,  1837.  Licensed  to  preach  1857.  Campaigned  for 
Lincoln.  Elected  to  Massachusetts  legislature  on  the 
Prohibition  ticket.  His  work  in  Ohio  was  between 
the  years  1857  and  1866.  He  died  April  29,  1915. 

1854  Isaac  Dowd  Williamson,  D.D.  Born  Ponifet,  Ver¬ 
mont,  April  4,  1807,  ordained  in  the  same  state  in 
1829.  He  was  preacher,  editor,  traveller  in  many 
states  and  also  abroad.  He  served  as  Grand  Chaplain 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows.,  He  was  pastor 
in  Cincinnati  for  about  three  years,  and  continued 
to  live  there  for  several  years.  He  died  November 
26,  1876. 

1:85 7  V.  P.  Wilson.  Lived  at  Stone  Creek,  Canal  Dover, 
Cleveland,  and  New  Philadelphia.  He  moved  to 
Kansas  about  1870. 

1857  W.  B.  Woodberry.  Preached  at  New  Way  and  Jersey 
about  twenty-five  years,  also  at  Caledonia,  Reynolds¬ 
burg,  Mt.  Gilead,  Granville,  dying  at  the  latter  place 
in  1882. 

1857  J.  L.  Wynant. 

1859  S,  Banfil. 

1859  Gorman.  Preached  at  Columbus,  and  then  trans¬ 
ferred  to  the  Unitarians. 

1859  Thomas  Sandor  Guthrie,  D.D.  Preached  at  Green¬ 
ville,  Springfield,  Eaton,  New  Paris,  Camden,  Pales- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  193 


tine,  New  Madison,  Millerstown,  and  many  points 
in  Indiana. 

1859  S.  P.  Merrifield.  Ordained  by  the  Western  Reserve 
Association.  A  farmer  and  preacher. 

1860  F.  Jones.  Lived  in  Berne  township.  He  was  fellow- 
shipped  by  the  Washington  Association  in  1864. 

i86o(?)N.  S.  Sage,  LL.D.  Born  at  Huntington,  and  edu¬ 
cated  at  Oberlin.  Private,  and  later  Chaplain,  in  the 
Civil  War.  Died  at  Nucla,  Colorado,  April  8,  1919. 

1860  Andrew  Wilson,  D.D.  The  unofficial  ‘‘Bishop  of 
the  Western  Reserve.”  Born  at  North  Shenango, 
Pennsylvania,  June  30,  1835.  Educated  at  Kings¬ 
ville,  Ohio,  and  at  Meadville.  Entered  the  ministry 
at  Willoughby  and  preached  also  at  Kent,  Brimfield, 
Ravenna,  and  many  other  places.  An  early  worker 
for  Buchtel  College.  He  was  an  organizer  and  pastor, 
and  had  a  record  of  1211  marriage  and  2128  funeral 
ceremonies.  He  died  about  1912. 

1861  J.  S.  Cantwfll.  Preached  at  Columbus,  Camden, 
Goshen,  Fairfield,  and  other  points.  He  moved  to 
Massachusetts  in  1881. 

1861  Marion  D.  Crosley,  D.D.  Born  in  Warren  County 
in  1835.  He  was  the  first  student  to  register  at 
Lebanon  College.  His  chief  work  was  in  Indiana,  but 
he  also  preached  in  other  states  and  in  Scotland. 
Among  his  Ohio  parishes  were  Caledonia,  Mt.  Gilead, 
and  Montgomery.  He  died  in  Indiana,  November 
2 7,  I9I7- 

1861  Ira  B.  Grandy.  A  resident  of  Millerstown  who  was 
fellowshipped  by  the  Winchester  Association,  and  in 
1866  ordained  by  the  Convention  at  New  Paris.  He 
moved  to  Indiana. 

1861  Joseph  Kinney. 


194  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1863  J-  L.  Canfield  (?) 

1863  John  Duval.  A  resident  of  Pricetown.  Originally 
a  Presbyterian,  he  became  a  Methodist,  and  later  a 
Universalist.  He  was  elected  an  associate  judge. 
He  died  at  Buford,  April  20,  1872. 

1863  J.  W.  Henley.  Originally  a  Methodist,  he  became 
a  Universalist  and  was  fellowshipped  by  the  Win¬ 
chester  Association.  He  preached  at  Mt.  Gilead, 
Springboro,  Attica,  McConnellsville,  Springfield, 
Marietta,  and  at  many  other  places.  For  a  number 
of  years  he  lived  at  Fountain  Park  near  Woodstock. 
He  died  at  Dayton  about  1902. 

1863  J.  J.  Near.  Born  in  Cleveland.  Fellowshipped  by  the 
Murray  Association.  He  was  a  school  teacher  and 
preacher,  and  died  at  Jeffersonville,  Indiana,  July  5, 
1867. 

1866  Shuba  Flint  Gibb.  Born  in  Genesee  County,  New 
York,  in  May,  1828.  A  shoemaker  by  trade,  he  moved 
to  the  vicinity  of  Peru.  He  was  ordained  by  the 
Convention  in  1867  and  preached  at  Brunersburg.  He 
then  went  to  Indiana,  Illinois,  and  other  states.  He 
was  a  life-long  cripple,  and  died  at  Los  Angeles,  May 
8,  1914. 

1866  T.  F.  Jones.  Born  December  18,  1813.  Lived  in 
Athens  County.  He  was  ordained  by  the  Washington 
Association.  He  died  July  31,  1883. 

1866  Nathan  W.  Moore.  The  son  of  Elihu  Moore,  born 
about  1838.  Preached  at  Edwardsville.  He  died  at 
his  home  in  Russellville  in  1898. 

1866  *Everett  Levi  Rexford,  D.D.  Born  in  Chatauqua 
county,  New  York,  and  ordained  in  1865.  Preached 
in  Cincinnati,  1865-69,  Columbus  1869-74  and  1894-08, 
at  which  time  relations  between  him  and  the  Univer- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  195 


salist  denomination  were  severed.  He  has  since  been 
pastor  of  an  independent  church  in  Columbus. 

1866  A.  M.  Soule.  Of  Woodstock,  formerly  a  Christian 
pastor,  was  fellowshipped  by  the  Winchester  Asso¬ 
ciation,  and  soon  moved  to  Michigan. 

1866  Charles  Lewis  Truman.  A  resident  of  Elmore, 
went  to  St.  Lawrence  University  to  study  for  the 
ministry  in  1866. 

1866  Hallam  Eldridge  Whitney.  Born  in  Binghamton, 
New  York,  April  18,  1818.  He  was  ordained  in 
Pennsylvania  in  1846  and  came  to  Willoughby  in  1866. 
He  died  at  Flint,  August  12,  1872. 

1866  J.  D.  H.  Corwine.  Came  from  Kentucky. 

1866  Jabez  Newton  Emery.  A  resident  of  Loveland  who 
studied  at  St.  Lawrence. 

1867  G.  S.  Abbott.  Born  in  New  York  in  1816,  he  began 
his  ministry  in  that  state  in  1841.  He  preached  in 
La  Grange,  after  which  he  retired  and  lived  at  Akron 
and  Aurora.  He  died  in  San  Jose,  California,  May 
10,  1894. 

1867  W.  J.  Crosley.  Licensed  by  the  Miami  Association. 
He  preached  at  Woodstock,  Camden,  Springboro, 
Plain  City,  and  in  Indiana  and  Connecticut.  He  was 
dropped  by  Convention  in  1897. 

1867  Benjamin  Franklin  Eaton.  Born  in  South  Hamp¬ 
ton,  New  Hampshire,  September  16,  1836.  He  pre¬ 
pared  for  the  ministry  at  Tufts  and  was  ordained 
in  his  native  state  in  1862.  He  preached  at  Dayton, 
Zanesville,  Cleveland,  Kenton,  and  many  other  points. 
In  1878  he  returned  to  New  England.  He  died  at 
Dover,  New  Hampshire,  October  2,  1917. 

1867  John  Francis  Gates.  A  resident  of  Gallipolis  who 
studied  at  St.  Lawrence. 


196  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1867  Solomon  Gwaltney.  A  resident  of  Newton  who 
studied  at  St.  Lawrence. 

1867  Miss  M.  Josephine  Lamham.  Fellowshipped  by  the 
Winchester  Association.  This  is  first  instance  so  far 
discovered  of  a  woman  being  given  ecclesiastical  priv¬ 
ileges  by  the  Universalists  of  Ohio.  The  name  is  also 
spelt  Lapham. 

1867  H.  J.  Pettit.  Became  blind. 

1867  *Robert  Thompson  Polk,  D.D.  Born  Liberty  Twp., 
Highland  County,  November  12,  1837.  Educated  at 
National  Normal  University.  Licensed  by  the  Win¬ 
chester  Association,  and  ordained  by  the  Convention 
at  Dayton,  1868.  Preached  at  London  and  Oxford, 
and  in  1876  moved  to  Massachusetts.  Active  in  the 
promotion  of  Buchtel  College. 

1867  Jonas  Franklin  Rice.  Born  Plainfield,  Massachu¬ 
setts,  in  1825.  He  was  a  resident  of  North  Olmstead 
for  sixty-three  years  and  a  carpenter  by  trade.  He 
was  a  Lieutenant  in  the  150th  Ohio  Volunteers.  He 
was  ordained  at  the  convention  of  1867  and  preached 
at  various  points  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state. 
His  death  occurred  in  November,  1905. 

1867  M  A.  Saxton.  Preached  at  East  Toledo,  Caledonia, 
Plain  City,  and  in  Michigan. 

1867  Martin  Van  Buren  Stevens.  A  resident  of  Oberlin 
who  studied  at  St.  Lawrence. 

1868  A.  Countryman.  Preached  at  Springfield. 

1869  G.  W.  Crowell.  Preached  at  Mt.  Gilead  and  Cleve¬ 
land.  He  was  relicensed  by  the  Convention  in  1878. 

1869  William  B.  Dunfee.  Licensed  by  the  Winchester 
Association. 

1869  J.  D.  Lauer.  A  Christian  preacher  who  joined  the 
Eaton  Universalist  Church.  He  preached  at  Con- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  197 


over,  Caledonia,  Plain  City,  etc.  He  died  about 
1888. 

1869  H.  F.  Miller.  Came  from  Indiana  to  become  Finan¬ 
cial  Secretary  of  Buchtel  College,  which  position  he 
held  1869-72  and  1878-79.  He  also  served  the  Con¬ 
vention  and  died  about  1885. 

1869  Edward  Morris.  Preached  at  Kent,  Caledonia,  Mt. 
Gilead,  and  in  other  states.  He  died  about  1915. 

1869  Josiah  A.  Seitz.  Born  Melmore,  O.,  March  27,  1837. 
Teacher  and  physician.  Ordained  by  the  Convention. 
He  preached  in  Adrian,  Attica,  McConnelsville,  and 
later  moved  to  New  York.  Died  at  Cos  Cob,  Conn., 
September  3,  1922. 

1869  W.  C.  Tresize. 

1869  S.  W.  Watson.  Licensed  by  the  Winchester  Asso¬ 
ciation. 

1873  Thaddeus  Clay  Druley.  Born  at  Boston,  Indiana, 
July  29,  1842,  and  educated  at  Miami  and  St.  Law¬ 
rence.  He  was  ordained  in  Wisconsin,  October  30, 
1870.  He  came  to  Middleport  circuit  in  1873,  and 
moved  to  Belpre  in  1876.  After  serving  as  State 
Superintendent  he  moved  to  Indiana  and  later  to  New 
England.  He  returned  to  Belpre  in  1901,  where  he 
died  October  23,  1907. 

1870  Luther  F.  McKinney.  Born  near  Newark,  O.,  1840. 
No  Ohio  pastorate.  Died  at  Bridgton,  Me. 

1870  Phineas  Hathaway.  Moved  to  New  York. 

1870  W.  W.  King.  Withdrew  in  1872. 

1870  James  M.  Simpson.  Born  1850.  Formerly  a  Chris¬ 
tian,  he  became  a  Universalist  and  received  a  license. 
He  died  at  Kirkersville  February  9,  1873. 

1870  Willard  Spaulding,  D.D.  Ordained  in  1845,  he  be- 


198  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


came  the  pastor  of  the  Cincinnati  Church  and  served 
about  two  years. 

1870  William  Tucker,  D.D.  Born  in  Halifax  county, 
Virginia,  1823.  He  served  as  a  Methodist  circuit 
rider,  teacher,  and  presiding  elder  until  1870  when  he 
became  a  Universalist.  He  preached  at  Mt.  Gilead, 
Eaton,  Camden,  Princeton,  Hamilton,  New  Palestine, 
Cuba,  Wilmington,  Upper  Sandusky,  etc.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Academy  of  Anthropology  (New 
York),  the  Victorian  Institute  (England),  and  the 
Medico-Legal  Society.  He  died  at  Camden,  Sep¬ 
tember  4,  1889. 

1871  T.  A.  Benton.  Lived  at  Middleport. 

1871  S.  P.  Booth.  The  initials  are  also  given  as  Z.  P.  A 
resident  of  Kent  who  was  licensed  by  the  Western 
Reserve  Association. 

1871  Charles  Heman  Dutton.  Born  Ogden,  New  York, 
October  5,  1823.  He  preached  at  Woodstock,  Eaton, 
Springfield,  Marietta,  Hamilton,  and  in  other  states. 
He  died  at  Hamilton  July  17,  1877. 

1871  J.  H.  Palmer.  Born  in  Akron  November,  1838,  and 
educated  there  and  in  Michigan.  Became  a  teacher, 
enlisted  in  the  army,  and  in  1871  entered  the  ministry. 
His  pastorates  were  outside  of  Ohio.  He  died  at 
Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  in  June,  1909. 

1871  H.  B.  Smith.  Ordained  by  the  convention. 

1871  William  Reese.  A  resident  of  Lower  Salem  who 
was  licensed  by  the  Washington  Association. 

1872  John  Henry  Blackford.  A  life-long  resident  of 
Eldorado,  where  he  was  ordained  in  1873.  He 
preached  there  for  many  years  and  at  Eaton,  New 
Madison,  Plattsville,  Conover,  and  other  points  in 
that  section  of  the  state. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  199 


1872  *  William  Henry  Rider,  2nd,  S.  T.  D.  Born  Prov- 

incetown,  Mass.,  November  13,  1846.  Ordained  in 
Mass.,  1871.  Pastor  at  Cincinnati  for  one  year,  after 
which  he  returned  to  Massachusetts. 

1872  Levi  Blackford.  Moved  from  the  state. 

1872  Stacey  Haines  Matlack.  Died  in  1878. 

1872  Sullivan  Holman  McCollister,  D.D.,  Litt.D.  Pres¬ 
ident  of  Buchtel  for  about  six  years. 

1872  John  Patterson  McLean.  A  resident  of  Franklin, 
who  studied  at  St.  Lawrence.  He  preached  at  Pales¬ 
tine,  Greenville,  and  in  other  states,  withdrawing  in 
1906.  In  1921  he  returned  to  preaching  at  Greenville. 

1872  D.  C.  Tomlinson.  Came  from  New  York  as  Finan¬ 
cial  Secretary  of  Buchtel.  He  preached  at  Spring- 
field.  In  1880  he  moved  to  Illinois. 

1872  Nehemiah  White,  A.M.,  Ph.D.  Professor  at 
Buchtel.  He  was  licensed  in  1874  and  ordained  in 
1875,  moving  to  Illinois  the  following  year. 

1873  W.  J.  Chaplin.  Came  from  Michigan. 

1873  John  Greeleaf  Adams,  D.D.  Born  at  Portsmouth, 
New  Hampshire,  July  30,  1810,  ordained  in  1833, 
died  May  4,  1887.  He  was  pastor  at  Cincinnati  for 
three  years. 

1873  J.  B.  Booth.  Licensed  by  the  Convention.  He  soon 
moved  to  New  York. 

1874  * W illiam  Percival  Burnell.  Born  January  19, 
1857  at  Bridgton,  Maine.  Educated  at  St.  Lawrence 
and  ordained  at  Cleveland,  March  4,  1874.  He  served 
as  pastor  at  Cleveland,  Huntington,  Clyde,  Marga- 
retta,  and  in  other  states.  He  also  canvassed  for 
Buchtel  for  two  years. 

1874  Benjamin  Brunning.  Born  Yoxford,  England, 


200  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


March  28,  1821.  Moved  to  Canada,  1836.  Ordained 
in  Iowa,  1873.  His  Ohio  residence  was  very  brief. 
Died  at  Boone,  Iowa,  May  10,  1920. 

1874  Frank  Evans.  Born  at  Boston,  Indiana,  March  5, 
1838.  He  was  educated  at  Miami  University  and  en¬ 
listed  in  the  21st  Ohio  Inf.,  later  becoming  Major. 
He  practiced  law  in  Michigan  and  was  ordained  in 
Indiana  in  1870.  He  preached  at  Mt.  Gilead  and 
Eaton,  and  died  at  the  latter  place  October  2,  1879. 

1874  William  Looker  Gibbs.  Born  at  Harrison  and 
moved  during  youth  to  Indiana.  A  shoemaker  by 
trade  and  a  Christian  in  religion.  He  served  in  the 
36th  Indiana  for  four  years  after  which  he  returned 
to  Harrison.  Meanwhile  he  had  become  a  Univer- 
salist  and  decided  to  enter  St.  Lawrence.  He  was 
licensed  and  ordained  by  the  Ohio  Convention,  but 
his  pastorates  were  in  Michigan.  He  died  in  1917. 

1874  Theodore  N.  Glover.  Preached  at  Woodstock,  and 
Plain  City  and  then  moved  to  Illinois. 

1874  Robert  Newman  John.  Born  in  Louisiana  in  1835, 
he  came  early  to  Harrison,  Ohio,  and  was  educated 
at  Miami.  He  became  a  teacher  and  was  superin¬ 
tendent  of  the  Blanchester  schools,  and  also  taught 
in  Universalist  schools  in  Maine  and  Indiana.  He 
had  entered  Hanover  to  prepare  for  the  Presbyterian 
ministry,  but  became  a  Universalist.  He  was  ordained 
at  Mt.  Carmel  in  1874,  and  preached  in  Jefferson, 
Farmer’s,  Pricetown,  London,  Zanesville,  and  Cuba, 
and  in  Indiana.  He  served  both  the  Ohio  and  Indi¬ 
ana  Conventions  officially,  and  was  a  prominent  Odd 
Fellow.  He  died  October  28,  1910. 

1874  Solomon  Laws.  Born  at  Peterborough,  New  Hamp¬ 
shire,  November  13,  1806.  He  was  educated  at  Dart¬ 
mouth  and  ordained  in  Vermont  in  1837.  He  moved 
to  Akron  in  1874  and  died  there  May  15,  1879. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  201 


1874  Asher  Moore.  Born  Anson,  Maine,  May  19,  1805, 
ordained  1839,  and  died  at  Hammonton,  New  Jersey, 
November  18,  1875. 

1874  J.  J.  Weeks.  Ordained  at  Cleveland,  June  3,  1874. 
He  moved  to  New  York  in  1876. 

1874  David  Workman.  A  resident  of  Priceton  who  was 
licensed. 

1875  Thomas  P.  Abell.  Born  Middlebury,  New  York, 
about  1809  and  fellowshipped  in  that  state  in  1835. 
After  several  eastern  pastorates  he  engaged  in  secu¬ 
lar  business.  In  1875  he  was  living  in  London  and 
was  relicensed  and  re  fellowshipped.  He  preached  in 
Columbus  and  Plain  City  and  in  Indiana.  He  died 
near  Flovilla,  Georgia,  September  4,  1894. 

1875  Samuel  C.  Ashton.  Preached  at  Peru.  Left  the 
state  about  1879. 

1875  (Char)lotta  Davis  Gath  Crosley.  Born  Colerain 
township,  Hamilton  County,  March  9,  1848.  She 
married  S.  Gath  of  Oxford  in  1867  and  Rev.  W.  J. 
Crosley  in  1870.  She  was  licensed  by  the  Convention 
in  1877  and  ordained  in  1879.  She  preached  at  Wood- 
stock,  Greenville,  Pharisburg,  Zanesville,  Caledonia, 
Camden,  Kent,  Mt.  Gilead,  Belleville,  Ridgeville, 
London,  Eaton,  Columbus,  and  in  other  states.  She 
died  in  1917. 

1875  W.  S.  Ralph.  Came  from  Illinois  and  preached  in 
Columbus. 

1876  J.  S.  Gledhill.  Came  from  New  York  to  Kent  where 
he  was  ordained  on  August  27,  1876.  Moved  to  Penn¬ 
sylvania  in  1879. 

1876  Eliezer  Hathaway.  Came  from  New  Jersey  and 
preached  at  Norwalk. 

1876  William  Marion  Jones.  A  resident  of  Cincinnati, 


202  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


licensed  in  1876,  and  ordained  at  Springboro  in  1877. 
He  preached  at  Columbus  and  Kent  and  later  left  the 
state  and  joined  the  Unitarians. 

1876  C.  A.  Lander.  Came  from  New  York  and  preached 
at  Caledonia  and  Eaton.  He  moved  to  Illinois  in 
1881  and  died  in  Sorrento,  Florida,  in  1906. 

1876  Archibald  Alexander  McMaster.  Lived  at  Poland. 
He  was  licensed  and  ordained. 

1876  W.  D.  Shipman.  Born  at  Gustavus,  October  25, 
1852.  Also  lived  at  Andover.  A  graduate  of,  and 
later  a  professor  in,  Buchtel.  Licensed  by  the  Con¬ 
vention  in  1876  and  ordained  by  the  Western  Reserve 
Association  in  1886.  He  died  December  16,  1895. 

1877  O.  L.  Ashenfelter.  A  resident  of  Springfield  and 
a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  Church  who  was 
fellowshipped.  He  left  the  state  about  1879. 

1877  James  Murray  Bailey.  Born  at  Wilmington,  Ver¬ 
mont,  in  1846,  and  ordained  in  1869.  He  was  pastor 
at  Cincinnati  for  about  two  years,  after  which  he 
left  the  state. 

1877  Abbie  E.  Danforth.  Licensed  and  ordained  (October 
16,  1878)  by  the  Convention.  Preached  at  Kent, 
Margaretta,  Peru,  LeRoy,  Huntington,  and  in  other 
states. 

1877  G.  L.  Fortney.  A  resident  of  West  Virginia  who 
preached  in  the  Washington  Association  and  was 
licensed  by  the  Convention. 

1877  Cassius  L.  Haskell.  Lived  at  Newton  and  was 
licensed  and  ordained  (October  10,  1878)  by  the  Con¬ 
vention.  Preached  at  Oxford. 

1877  Prudy  Le  Clerc  Haskell.  Born  at  Louisville,  Ken¬ 
tucky,  February  6,  1844.  She  was  ordained  in  Indiana 
in  1869  and  preached  in  several  states,  coming  then  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  203 


Newtown.  She  married  C.  L.  Haskell  that  same  year 
and  died  at  Oxford,  December  27,  1878. 

1877  Lucinda  White  Brown.  Usually  known  as  “ Auntie 
Brown.”  Not  a  minister.  Born  New  York,  1822. 
Married  Rev.  John  Stanley  Brown.  Afterwards  a 
teacher.  Moved  to  Akron  in  1877  and  thereafter 
devoted  her  life  to  maintaining  a  home  for  poor 
students.  This  was  known  as  “The  Beehive,”  ‘‘The 
Omnibus,”  and  “The  Old  Shoe.”  For  many  years  she 
was  a  prominent  figure  at  conventions. 

1877  Lemuel  Jefferson  Spencer.  Born  near  New  Madi¬ 
son.  He  enlisted  in  the  5th  Ohio  Cavalry.  He  was 
ordained  by  the  Convention  in  1879,  and  held  pas¬ 
torates  in  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  Missouri.  He  died 
January  25,  1915,  at  Colorado  Springs. 

1878  *Emma  E.  Bailey.  Licensed  by  the  Convention. 

1878  E.  R.  Earl.  Came  from  Pennsylvania  and  preached 
in  Belpre,  Watertown,  and  Fairfield. 

1878  George  Landor  Perin,  D.D.  Born  at  Newton,  Iowa, 
July  31,  1854.  Ordained  by  the  Convention,  September 
1,  1878,  and  preached  at  Bainbridge  and  Bryan. 
Moved  to  Massachusetts  in  1882. 

1879  Alfred  Day.  Preached  at  Kenton  and  Woodstock. 
He  left  the  ministry  about  1891. 

1879  Ezekiel  Fitzgerald.  Born  at  Detroit,  March  5,  1840. 
He  was  educated  at  Tufts  and  enlisted  in  44th  Massa¬ 
chusetts.  He  preached  in  Ohio  for  only  about  two 
years.  He  died  at  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire, 
September  17,  1918. 

1879  James  H.  Hartley.  Came  from  Massachusetts  and 
served  as  pastor  at  Cincinnati  for  a  year. 

1879  *Augustus  Luther  Rice.  Born  Ellisburg,  N.  Y., 
Nov.  5,  1847.  Ordained  in  New  York,  1874.  Came  to 


204  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Ohio  for  about  two  or  three  years  and  returned  about 
1886  for  a  similar  period.  Pastorates  at  Peru  and 
Mason. 

1879  Christopher  S.  Vincent.  Preached  at  Norwalk. 
After  leaving  the  state  he  transferred  to  the  Uni¬ 
tarians. 

1880  Orello  Cone,  D.D.  Came  from  St.  Lawrence  to 
become  president  of  Buchtel,  filling  the  position  for 
sixteen  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  St.  Law¬ 
rence.  An  author  of  several  books.  He  died  in  1905. 

1880  Henry  Noble  Couden,  D.D.  Born  Marshall  Co.,  In¬ 
diana,  Nov.  21,  1842.  Attended  State  School  for  the 
Blind  at  Columbus,  O.  Preached  in  Ohio  for  a  brief 
period.  He  was  Chaplain  of  the  House  of  Repre¬ 
sentatives  at  Washington  for  many  years. 

1880  Richard  Eddy.  The  historian  of  the  Universalist 
Church.  He  preached  in  Ohio  for  a  few  months. 

1880  Sumner  Ellis,  D.D.  Born  at  North  Orange,  Massa¬ 
chusetts,  May  17,  1828,  ordained  in  1851,  and  died 
January  1,  1886.  He  preached  at  Cincinnati  for  about 
a  year. 

1880  John  Marshall  Getchell.  Came  from  Pennsyl¬ 
vania.  In  1882  he  moved  to  Michigan,  again  returning 
to  Ohio  in  1884  for  about  a  year. 

1880  Olive  P.  Kimmel.  A  resident  of  Eaton.  Ordained 
at  Sharon,  January  29,  1880,  and  died  the  same  year. 

1880  *Dewitt  Lamphear.  Born  at  Rome,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  12, 
1848.  Studied  at  Buchtel.  Licensed  by  the  Conven¬ 
tion  and  ordained  at  Springboro  in  1881.  After  a  few 
years  he  returned  to  New  York. 

1880  Charles  Henry  Rogers.  Born  in  Ashtabula  county, 
June  6,  1843.  He  became  a  Methodist  minister  at  the 
age  of  nineteen,  but  in  1880  transferred  to  the  Uni- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  205 


versalists.  He  held  no  Ohio  pastorates.  He  died 
June  28,  1918. 

1881  L.  M.  Andrews.  Came  from  Indiana  and  about  1885 
moved  to  Illinois. 

1881  H.  E.  Smith.  A  member  of  the  Christian  church  who 
was  licensed  by  the  Convention.  In  1883  he  was 
placed  on  the  retired  list. 

1882  William  Frost  Crispin.  Born  in  Fayette  county, 
November  14,  1833.  An  organizer,  lecturer,  editor, 
and  pamphleteer  against  the  liquor  traffic.  He  was 
licensed  by  the  Convention  and  later,  in  1890,  at 
Akron  ordained.  He  was  for  two  years  the  agent  for 
the  Star  in  the  West  and  six  years  the  financial 
secretary  of  Buchtel.  He  preached  at  Mansfield.  He 
died  at  Akron,  January  29,  1916. 

1882  Sheldon  C.  Clark.  Preached  at  Peru. 

1882  F.  D.  Pierce.  Ordained  at  Kent.  He  moved  to  Iowa 
in  1884. 

1882  S.  Pierce  (?)  Came  from  New  York. 

1882  George  W.  Powell.  Preached  at  Norwalk,  leaving 
there  for  New  York. 

1882  *Mont  Della  Shumway.  Came  from  New  York  and 
was  licensed  the  same  year.  He  preached  at  Mt. 
Gilead  and  was  ordained  there  June  13,  1882.  He 
afterwards  returned  to  New  York. 

1883  F.  K.  Beem.  Came  from  New  York  and  preached  at 
Plain  City,  where  he  was  ordained. 

1883  *Charles  C.  Conner.  Preached  at  Eaton,  Hamilton, 
and  Milford,  and  in  other  states. 

1883  Felton. 

1883  J.  B.  Frost.  A  resident  of  Morrow  county. 


206  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1883  Gideon  Isaac  Keirn,  D.D.  Born  at  Columbia  City, 
Indiana,  1854.  Became  a  Universalist  during  youth 
and  was  educated  at  Buchtel,  St.  Lawrence,  and  Tufts. 
He  was  ordained  in  New  York  in  1879  and  has 
preached  in  several  states  and  in  Japan.  No  Ohio 
pastorate. 

1884  *Charles  Ellwood  Nash,  A.M.,  D.D.  Born  at 
Alamuchy,  New  Jersey,  March  31,  1855,  the  son  of  a 
Universalist  minister.  Educated  at  Lombard  and 
Tufts  and  ordained  in  Connecticut  in  1878.  He  was 
pastor  at  Akron  for  seven  years,  has  preached  in 
several  other  states,  and  has  been  president  of  Lom¬ 
bard  and  Field  Secretary  of  the  denomination. 

1884  Elmer  Frederick  Pember.  Born  at  Riley,  Illinois, 
August  26,  1853  and  ordained  in  Massachusetts  in 
1875.  He  came  from  New  York  to  Cincinnati,  where 
he  was  pastor  for  about  three  years,  then  moving  to 
Pennsylvania. 

1884  Edwin  W.  Pierce.  Came  from  Massachusetts  to 
Norwalk;  after  a  year  he  moved  to  Vermont.  He 
died  at  Orleans,  Massachusetts,  in  1912. 

1885  R.  B.  Marsh.  Ordained  by  the  Convention  and 
preached  at  Kent  for  about  two  years,  after  which  he 
moved  to  Michigan. 

1885  J.  M.  H.  Smith.  He  had  lived  in  Morrow  in  1866. 
He  preached  in  Springfield  for  a  few  months. 

1885  Nathan  Rice  Quackenbush.  Born  in  New  York 
City,  April  4,  1837.  He  became  a  Universalist  about 
1872,  was  educated  at  St.  Lawrence,  and  ordained  in 
1874.  He  preached  in  Michigan  and  Indiana  and  in 
Reynoldsburg,  Jersey,  Flint,  McConnelsville,  Blan- 
chester,  Watertown,  New  Madison,  New  Paris,  and 
Plain  City,  where  he  died  November  24,  1915. 

1885  F.  M.  Yates.  A  Methodist  Protestant  of  West  Vir- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  207 


ginia  who  was  licensed  and  fellowshipped  by  the  Con¬ 
vention.  He  moved  to  Indiana  in  1888  and  then  to 
Illinois. 

1886  *Harry  Lee  Canfield.  The  son  of  Dr.  Henry  Can- 
field.  Born  at  Newberry,  February  2,  i860,  lived  at 
Peru  and  Norwalk,  educated  at  Buchtel  and  Tufts, 
and  ordained  at  Stryker,  January  27,  1888.  He 
preached  at  Cincinnati,  Stryker,  Attica,  Lyons,  Flint, 
and  later  moved  to  Maine. 

1886  *Judson  Patterson  Marvin.  A  student  who  preached 
in  Ohio  during  the  summer. 

1886  John  Richardson.  Licensed  and,  in  1886,  ordained 
by  the  Convention.  He  preached  at  Springboro, 
Ridgeville,  Cuba,  Miami  City,  Palestine,  Greenville, 
New  Weston,  Jeffersonville,  Summit,  and  New  Way. 
For  many  years  he  lived  at  Westville,  where  he  died 
in  1904. 

1887  G.  P.  Nash.  The  father  of  C.  E.  Nash.  He  preached 
at  Belleville  for  a  short  time,  and  in  1899  lived  at 
Toledo. 

1887  *Thomas  Baldwin  Thayer  Fisher.  A  student  who 
preached  in  Ohio  during  the  summer. 

1887  *W ilson  Marvin  Backus.  Born  Prairie  Du  Chein, 
Wis.,  Feb.  11,  1865.  Came  from  Iowa  and  was  or¬ 
dained  by  the  Convention,  June  8,  1887.  Preached  at 
Blanchester,  Mason,  and  Milford.  Now  in  fellowship 
with  the  Unitarians. 

1887  Stephen  Crane,  D.D.  Preached  in  Norwalk,  coming 
from  and  returning  to  Illinois. 

1887  *Elbert  Watson  Whitney.  Born  at  Nashua,  New 
Hampshire,  December  8,  1849,  educated  at  Tufts,  and 
ordained  in  Massachusetts  in  1874.  His  pastorates 
have  been  in  New  England  except  for  about  three 
years  when  he  preached  at  Cincinnati. 


208  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1887  *Leon  Oscar  Williams.  A  student  who  preached  in 
Ohio  during  the  summer. 

1888  *Frank  Skinner  Rice.  Born  Springfield,  Vt.,  June 
9,  1853.  Ordained  in  New  York,  1888.  Preached  at 
Kenton  and  New  Haven  from  1889  to  1893.  Returned 
to  New  England. 

1888  Estella  Backus.  Licensed  by  the  Convention. 

1888  A.  K.  Beem.  Preached  at  Woodstock  and  Plain  City. 
He  moved  to  Iowa  about  1892. 

1888  M.  Lee  Hewett.  Came  from  New  York  and  preached 
at  Belpre.  He  died  about  1895. 

1889  Mrs.  M.  V.  Andrews.  Licensed  by  the  Convention. 

1889  W.  M.  Andrews.  Lived  at  Blanchester.  He  came 
from  the  Reformed  Church  and  was  given  a  license, 
which  he  soon  surrendered. 

1888  *Henrietta  Greer  Moore.  Born  Newark,  O.,  and 
lived  in  Cincinnati  and  Morrow.  Licensed  in  1888 
and  ordained  in  1891.  She  preached  at  Springfield, 
Woodstock,  Conover,  Cuba.  Organized  Dayton 
church.  Prominent  worker  for  W.  C.  T.  U.,  Natl. 
Amer.  Woman  Suffrage  Asso. 

1889  F.  F.  Backus  (?).  Ordained  January  25th  at  Leroy. 

1889  F.  F.  Buckner.  Preached  at  Leroy  and  Attica.  He 
moved  to  Illinois  about  1893. 

1889  Stanford  Mitchell.  Born  Durham,  Me.,  Nov.  3, 
1840.  Came  from  Massachusetts  and  was  ordained  by 
the  Convention,  February  1,  1889.  He  served  two 
seasons  as  state  evangelist,  returning  to  Massachusetts. 
Died  at  Proctor,  Vt.,  July  6,  1922. 

1890  John  Randolph  Carpenter.  Born  at  North  Olm- 
stead,  December  29,  1859,  and  educated  at  Lombard. 
He  preached  in  Newton,  Milford,  Mt.  Carmel,  Mont- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  209 


gomery,  Belpre,  Little  Hocking,  Frost,  Watertown, 
Mt.  Gilead,  Attica,  Camden,  Woodstock,  McConnels- 
ville,  and  in  other  western  states.  He  served  as  Mayor 
of  Mt.  Gilead  in  1909.  He  died  in  Wisconsin,  October 
6,  1918. 

1890  J.  F.  Carney.  Came  from  the  Advent  Church,  New 
York  City,  to  Mt.  Gilead.  He  also  preached  at  Flint 
and  in  Indiana. 

1890  Elmer  D.  Jacobs.  Came  from  Michigan  to  Bryan 
and  Stryker. 

1890  Levi  Moore  Powers,  S.T.D.  Preached  at  Zanesville 
and  McConnelsville  during  the  summer. 

1890  *  Oscar  L.  Wales.  Born  1830.  A  Methodist  preacher, 
then  an  Independent,  who  was  licensed  and  given  full 
fellowship  by  the  Convention.  He  lived  at  Swanton 
and  preached  at  Walbridge. 

1891  *Howard  Burton  Bard.  A  resident  of  Brimfield, 
ordained  in  1894.  His  pastorates  have  been  in  other 
states. 

1891  *Osgood  Ghordis  Colegrove.  Born  at  Hanover, 
Michigan,  October  30,  1864.  Educated  at  Lombard 
and  ordained  in  Michigan  in  1887.  He  preached  at 
Kent,  Blanchester,  Woodstock,  Plain  City,  Green¬ 
ville,  and  was  state  superintendent  twelve  years.  He 
has  also  preached  in  other  western  states. 

1891  *Ulysses  Sumner  Milburn.  Born  at  Black  Lick, 
December  16,  1865,  educated  at  St.  Lawrence,  and 
ordained  at  London,  December  15,  1891.  He  preached 
at  Plain  City,  London,  and  Cincinnati,  and  in  other 
states. 

1891  W.  K.  Mumford.  A  resident  of  Brandt  who  was 
licensed.  He  preached  at  Conover  and  Miami  City. 

1891  *J.  Frank  Thompson.  Born  at  Wonaque,  New 


210  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


Jersey,  December  27,  1850,  and  educated  at  Rochester, 
New  York,  where  he  left  the  Baptist  church  for  the 
Universalist.  He  was  ordained  in  that  state  in  1875. 
He  preached  in  Akron  for  five  years  and  in  other 
eastern  states. 

1891  William  Shaw  White.  Preached  in  Cleveland  about 
two  years,  moving  then  to  Massachusetts. 

1892  *  Alfred  Newton  Blackford.  A  resident  of  Eaton 
who  studied  for  the  ministry. 

1892  Frank  Blackford.  A  resident  of  Eldorado  who 
studied  for  the  ministry.  In  1899  he  preached  at 
Mason,  resigning  in  1902  to  enter  business. 

1892  Harry  Blackford.  Born  at  Eldorado,  October  17, 
1866,  educated  at  Tufts,  and  ordained  in  1892.  He 
preached  at  Cincinnati  from  1899  to  1901,  resigning  to 
study  and  practice  medicine.  He  died  about  1909. 

1892  *Barlow  Green  Carpenter,  D.D.  Licensed  and  or¬ 
dained  on  March  14,  1895,  at  Eaton.  He  preached 
there  and  at  Montgomery  and  Camden,  moving  to 
Illinois  about  1900. 

1892  *Frederick  Lucius  Carrier.  A  resident  of  Brimfield 
who  studied  for  the  ministry.  In  1904  he  preached  at 
Mason  and  then  left  the  state. 

1892  *Samuel  G.  Dunham.  Born  New  Jersey,  1866. 
Came  from  New  Jersey  to  Blanchester  and  was  or¬ 
dained  by  the  Convention.  He  also  preached  at  Mil¬ 
ford,  Edwardsville,  Blanchester,  Centerfield,  London, 
and  Norwalk,  moving  to  Massachusetts  in  1896. 

1892  Elmer  J.  Felt.  Born  at  Kent,  and  educated  at  Tufts. 
He  preached  at  Norwalk. 

1892  C.  W.  E.  Gossow.  A  resident  of  Stryker  who  studied 
for  the  ministry  and  was  licensed  by  the  Convention. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  211 


1892  *Carl  French  Henry.  Born  at  Bissell,  October  7, 
1867,  and  educated  at  Buchtel,  Tufts,  and  later  at 
Hartford.  Ordained  at  Cleveland,  December  21,  1893. 
He  preached  in  Cleveland  until  1905  and  since  then 
has  been  in  other  states. 

1892  W.  J.  Herbener.  A  resident  of  Circleville  who  studied 
for  the  ministry. 

1892  *Leroy  Wilson  Coons,  A.M.  Born  at  Arcanum, 
August  23,  1872,  and  lived  there  and  at  Eldorado. 
Educated  at  Bowdoin  and  St.  Lawrence,  and  ordained 
in  New  York,  1895.  He  never  had  an  Ohio  pastorate, 

1892  William  M.  Lawrence.  A  resident  of  Norwalk  who 
studied  for  the  ministry.  About  1898  he  preached  at 
Eaton  and  other  points  in  Ohio. 

1892  John  D.  McCord.  A  resident  of  Watertown  who  was 
ordained  by  the  Convention.  He  preached  there  and 
at  Fairfield,  Berne,  Vincent,  and  Dudley. 

1892  Omer  Petrie.  A  resident  of  Eldorado  who  studied 
for  the  ministry. 

1892  Margaret  Titus.  A  resident  of  Batavia  who  studied 
for  the  ministry. 

1893  *George  Hilary  Ashworth.  A  resident  of  Eaton, 
educated  at  Lombard,  ordained  in  Ohio  in  1898.  He 
preached  at  Mt.  Gilead,  Attica,  Ravenna,  Bryan,  and 
in  other  states. 

1893  W.  L.  Dudley.  A  Free  Will  Baptist  who  was  licensed 
for  a  year. 

1893  *  George  Humberstone.  Born  at  Peterborough,  Eng¬ 

land,  April  5,  i860,  and  moved  to  Toledo  in  1872,  in 
or  near  which  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  ordained 
at  Bryan,  July  7,  1895  and  has  preached  in  Walbridge, 
Peru,  Havana,  Lyons,  and  in  Michigan. 


212  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1893  *Ira  Wilson  McLaughlin.  Born  at  Union,  Cham¬ 
paign  county,  March  22,  1861.  During  his  youth  he 
lived  in  Westville,  where  he  became  a  Universalist. 
He  was  educated  at  Urbana  University,  at  Buchtel, 
and  at  St.  Lawrence  and  ordained  in  New  York  in 
1883.  He  has  preached  in  Springfield  from  1893  to 
1895  and  from  1911  to  the  present  time,  and  also  in 
other  states  and  in  Canada. 

1893  Cornelia  Andrews  Williams.  Ordained  at  Leroy, 
October  25th,  and  preached  there  and  at  Hunt¬ 
ington. 

1894  Clifford  E.  Jones.  Preached  in  northeastern  Ohio 
in  the  summer  and  returned  in  1896  to  Mason,  Ridge- 
ville,  and  Ravenna.  He  was  ordained  at  the  latter 
place  in  September.  He  also  preached  at  Springboro 
and  Kent,  and  moved  to  Massachusetts  in  1903. 

1894  James  C.  Moore.  The  son  of  Rev.  Elihu  Moore  and  a 
resident  of  Troy.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Convention. 

1894  Moorman.  A  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  South, 
who  joined  the  Universalists  at  Eldorado,  and  received 
a  license.  He  preached  at  New  Paris  and  Eaton. 

1894  Frank  M.  Pitkin.  A  Congregationalist  who  joined 
the  Universalists  at  Cleveland  and  received  license  and 
full  fellowship.  He  preached  at  Jersey  and  Reynolds¬ 
burg,  retiring  in  1898  to  unite  with  the  Christian 
Scientists. 

1894  *Sara  L.  Stoner,  M.S.  The  wife  of  Rev.  J.  A. 
Stoner.  Born  in  Union  county,  Indiana,  November  26, 
1853.  She  taught  school  in  Preble  county,  Ohio,  in 
1877.  Educated  at  Smithson,  and  Buchtel.  She  was 
ordained  in  Kansas  in  1890.  She  has  preached  at 
Jeffersonville,  Centerfield,  Milford,  Cuba,  Palestine, 
[New  Madison,  Miami  City,  New  Paris,  Camden, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  213 


Eaton,  Eldorado,  Belleville,  Mt.  Gilead,  Conover,  and 
in  other  states. 

1895  Martha  A.  Bortle.  Born  1845.  She  taught  eight 
years  at  Buchtel  and  prepared  for  the  ministry.  She 
preached  at  Hamilton,  Mansfield,  Belleville,  and  in 
other  states.  She  died  at  Lake  Chatauqua,  1910. 

1895  Henry  N.  Brown.  Pastor  at  New  Madison  for  five 
years.  He  died  in  1900. 

1895  E.  A.  Coil.  A  Unitarian  of  Marietta,  who  was  a 
member  of  the  Convention.  He  died  January  1,  1918. 

1895  James  Hudson.  Came  from  Indiana  to  Attica  and 
North  Olmstead. 

1895  G.  A.  Kratzer.  Preached  at  Hamilton  for  three  years, 
after  which  he  moved  to  New  York. 

1895  F.  O.  Eggleston.  A  former  Universalist  who  had 
joined  the  Unitarians  and  was  relicensed  by  the  Con¬ 
vention  in  1895. 

1895  H.  K.  Riegel.  Preached  at  Kent  for  about  three 
years  and  then  moved  to  New  York. 

1895  James  L.  Stoner.  Born  at  Peru,  Indiana,  April  21, 
1849  and  educated  at  the  state  normal  school  and  at 
Smithson.  He  was  ordained  in  Kansas  in  1889.  He 
preached  at  Springfield,  Milford,  Palestine,  Eaton, 
and  in  other  states.  He  died  December,  1913.  He  was 
a  denominational  historian. 

1895  Ermina  C.  Stray.  A  resident  of  Noble  who  was 
licensed  by  the  Convention.  She  preached  at  Plain 
City. 

1896  ^Clarence  Livingstone  Eaton.  The  son  of  Rev. 
B.  F.  Eaton.  Born  Dayton,  O.,  May  14,  1868.  Or¬ 
dained  in  Mass.  He  preached  at  Belleville  during  the 
summer. 


214  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1896  *Ira  Allen  Priest,  S.T.D.  Born  Vermont,  1856. 
Ordained  in  Mass.,  1887.  Preached  at  Akron,  Sharon, 
Kent,  and  also  served  as  president  of  Buchtel  until 
1901.  Army  chaplain. 

1896  *Arthur  Roberts.  A  resident  of  West  Jefferson  who 
became  a  Universalist.  He  preached  at  Attica,  Mar- 
garetta,  and  New  Madison,  and  in  other  states. 

1896  *George  Washington  Sias.  Born  in  New  York.  He 
preached  in  Springfield. 

1896  *Eliza  Flagg  Turner  Hoskin.  Came  from  New 
York  to  Belleville,  and  also  preached  at  McConnels- 
ville  and  returned  to  New  York  in  1898. 

1897  *Mary  Andrews  Conner.  A  resident  of  Hamilton 
who  was  first  licensed  by  the  Convention  in  1897  and 
ordained  November  16,  1902.  Educated  at  Buchtel 
and  later  at  the  University  of  Chicago.  She  was  or¬ 
ganizer  for  the  Missionary  Alliance.  She  moved  to 
Missouri  in  1902.  In  1914  she  married  the  Rev.  C.  C. 
Conner  at  Hamilton. 

1897  A.  B.  Church,  D.D.,  LL.D.  Born  at  North  Norwich, 
Vermont,  January  11,  1858,  and  educated  at  St.  Law¬ 
rence.  He  preached  at  Akron  until  1901  and  then 
became  president  of  Buchtel,  filling  this  position  until 
his  death  on  November  16,  1912. 

1897  Charles  L.  Corwin.  Licensed  by  the  Convention  and 
in  1899  given  fellowship.  He  preached  at  Norwalk 
and  left  the  state  about  1901. 

1897  Ferdinand  C.  Davis.  A  Unitarian  preacher  who 
joined  the  Ravenna  church  and  received  a  temporary 
license. 

1897  Margaret  T.  Olmstead.  Came  from  Illinois  and 
received  a  license. 

1897  Rett  E.  Olmstead.  Came  from  Illinois  and  received 
a  license. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  215 


1897  *Eben  Mumford,  Ph.D.  A  resident  of  Alcony, 
licensed  by  the  Convention.  He  was  later  educated  at 
the  University  of  Chicago  and  was  ordained. 

1897  *  Albert  I.  Spanton.  Born  Sunderland,  Engl.,  Nov. 
28,  1872.  Resident  of  Columbiana  co.  A  professor  at 
Buchtel  who  received  a  license  for  several  years  and 
was  ordained  at  Norwalk,  July  31,  1910.  He  has 
preached  at  Leroy,  Kent,  and  Ravenna. 

1897  I.  Wallace  Cate.  State  superintendent.  He  also 
preached  in  other  states  and  in  Japan. 

1898  *Carrie  White  Brainard.  Born  at  Lee,  New  York, 
September  30,  1852,  and  educated  at  Lombard  and  St. 
Lawrence.  Ordained  in  Illinois  in  1881.  She  has 
preached  in  Little  Hocking,  Belpre,  Frost,  Lower 
Salem,  Caledonia,  and  in  Illinois. 

1898  *Maurice  Gilbert  Linton.  Born  in  Carroll  county, 
Indiana,  in  1869,  educated  at  Lombard,  and  ordained 
in  Missouri.  He  has  preached  in  Blanchester,  Zanes¬ 
ville,  McConnelsville,  Hamilton,  and  in  other  states. 

1898  Tacy  Matthews.  A  resident  of  Ohio  who  was  edu¬ 
cated  at  Tufts. 

1898  E.  N.  Newton. 

1898  *L.  R.  Robinson.  Licensed  and  fellowshipped  by  the 
Convention.  He  preached  at  Eaton,  Eldorado,  Mt. 
Gilead,  and  in  other  states. 

1898  *Inez  L.  Shipman.  Born  Gustavus,  O.,  July  25,  1850. 
Educated  at  Buchtel.  The  daughter  of  Rev.  C.  L. 
Shipman,  licensed  and,  on  July  8,  1900,  at  Olmstead, 
ordained.  She  preached  there  and  at  Mason  and 
Sharon  Center,  and  in  other  states. 

1899  H.  E.  Newton.  Ordained  at  Vincent  on  December  23. 
He  preached  there  and  at  Fairfield,  Beverly,  McCon¬ 
nelsville,  Watertown,  and  in  other  states. 


216  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1900  F.  M.  Hayes.  Fellowshipped  by  the  Convention  and 
preached  at  Kent  for  a  short  time,  after  which  he 
returned  to  Illinois. 

1900  *Hattie  Sias  Hutchins.  Born  in  New  York.  After 
preaching  at  Springfield  she  married  and  left  the  min¬ 
istry. 

1900  John  E.  June.  Preached  in  Zanesville  for  a  short 
time. 

1900  *Marcia  Martin  Selman.  Preached  at  Ravenna  a 
few  months. 

1901  *Harriet  I.  Baker  Robinson.  Born  Avilla,  Ind.,  May 
29,  1878.  Ordained  in  Iowa.  She  has  preached  at 
Blanchester,  Milford,  and  in  other  states.  She  mar¬ 
ried  Dr.  Reuben  A.  Robinson  of  Iowa  in  1903. 

1901  *Henry  La  Fayette  Gillespie.  Preached  at  Newton, 
Farmers,  and  in  other  states. 

1901  *Oscar  E.  Olin.  Born  Earlville,  O.,  Dec.  3,  1851. 
A  professor  at  Buchtel,  licensed,  and  in  1904  ordained 
by  the  Convention.  He  has  preached  at  Huntington, 
No.  Olmstead,  and  Leroy. 

1901  *Noel  Edward  Spicer.  Born  Whitesville,  N.  Y., 
Mar.  8,  1866.  Ordained  1887.  Pastor  at  Attica  and 
preached  at  Plain  City,  Caledonia,  and  Belleville, 
moving  to  Iowa  in  1907. 

1901  *George  F.  Thompson.  Born  at  Hanover,  Michigan, 
May  14,  1873,  educated  at  Lombard,  and  ordained  at 
Plain  City  in  1903.  He  preached  there  and  at  Camden, 
Eaton,  McConnelsville,  Caledonia,  Marion,  Summit, 
Jersey,  and  Mason. 

1902  Norris  C.  Dickey.  Came  from  Pennsylvania  and 
preached  at  Belleville,  Mt.  Gilead,  and  Norwalk.  He 
was  ordained  March  4,  1903. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  217 


1902  *W illard  O.  Bodell.  Born  at  Harrod,  O.,  Dec.  7, 
1872,  and  received  a  license,  leaving  the  state  about 

1904.  Ordained  in  Canada  1904.  Supply  preaching  in 
Ohio. 

1902  Flora  Bronis.  Preached  in  Lower  Salem,  Zanesville, 
etc.,  afterwards  moving  to  New  York. 

1902  *Edward  Gilman  Mason,  D.D.  Came  from  New 
Jersey  and  preached  at  Akron  for  about  ten  years, 
leaving  there  for  Indiana. 

1902  A.  I.  Siianton.  The  initials  are  also  given  as  J.  A. 
Preached  on  the  Springboro  circuit  for  two  years. 

1903  *Samuel  Gilbert  Ayers,  D.D.  Born  at  Jersey  City, 
July  23,  1870,  educated  at  St.  Lawrence,  and  ordained 
in  New  York  in  1898.  He  was  pastor  at  Cincinnati 
for  seven  years,  and  has  preached  in  other  states,  and 

Japan. 

1903  *Harry  Lewis  Thornton.  Came  from  Pennsylvania 
and  preached  at  Blanchester,  leaving  there  for 
Illinois. 

1905  *George  Hallam  Lewis.  Born  Meriden,  Conn.,  Aug. 
23,  1881.  Resident  of  Cincinnati.  Ordained  Mass,  in 

1905.  Preached  at  Cuba,  Olive  Branch,  Farmers  Sta., 
Montgomery. 

1905  *Leslie  Clare  Manchester.  Born  No.  Collins,  N.  Y., 
June  23,  1873.  Ordained  Arkansas,  1909.  Came  from 
New  York  to  Lyons,  leaving  the  state  in  two  years. 

1905  *Edward  Milton  Minor.  Born  Pleasant  Mound,  Ill., 
May  19,  1867.  Ordained  Illinois,  1897.  Preached  at 
Norwalk,  Westfield,  and  Springfield,  leaving  there  in 
1910  for  Ontario. 

1905  A.  M.  Stirton.  Came  from  and  returned  to  Michi¬ 
gan,  after  a  short  pastorate  at  Plain  City  and  Jersey. 


218  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1905  *Delmar  Everett  Trout.  Preached  at  Plain  city  and 
Eaton. 

1906  *Leon  Peter  Jones.  Born  at  Little  Falls,  New  York, 
January  31,  1864,  ordained  in  Illinois  in  1894.  He 
preached  in  Eaton,  Greenville,  and  in  other  states  and 
in  Canada. 

1906  *  Albert  Corydon  White.  Born  Newark,  O.,  Nov.  15, 
1852.  Resident  of  Marion  and  Columbus.  Studied  at 
Buchtel.  Ordained  in  Mass.  1880.  Has  had  several 
New  England  pastorates  among  both  Unitarians  and 
Universalists.  Pastor  at  Hamilton  and  also  Flint, 
Attica,  and  Jersey. 

1906  Martha  Garner  Jones.  The  wife  of  Rev.  L.  P. 
Jones;  they  have  usually  served  the  same  churches  as 
joint  pastors. 

1906  J.  F.  Lane.  Licensed  by  the  Convention. 

1906  *George  Runyon  Longbrake.  Came  from  Pennsyl¬ 
vania  to  preach  at  Bryan,  leaving  there  for  Wisconsin. 
Chaplain  17th  U.  S.  Cav. 

1906  ^Charles  Franklin  Patterson.  Preached  at  Colum¬ 
bus  and  Cleveland,  moving  to  Michigan  in  1909. 

1907  *Minnie  O.  Colegrove.  Born  at  Albany,  New  York, 
February  21,  1867,  married  Rev.  O.  G.  Colegrove. 
Licensed  by  the  Convention.  She  had  preached  at 
Woodstock,  Plain  City,  Greenville,  Mt.  Carmel,  and 
Miami  City,  and  in  other  states. 

1907  Charles  I.  Deyo.  Formerly  a  Christian  minister,  to 
which  denomination  he  returned  in  1912.  He  preached 
in  Lyons. 

1907  *Donald  Marshall  Flower.  Preached  in  Little 
Hocking,  leaving  there  for  Pennsylvania  in  1910. 

1908  *Fannie  Elmina  Austin.  A  resident  of  Akron  who 
entered  the  ministry. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  219 


1908  *Edward  H.  Barrett.  Born  at  New  Harmony,  In¬ 
diana,  May  2,  1858,  educated  at  United  Christian 
College  and  at  Meadville,  and  ordained  by  the  Chris¬ 
tians  in  1898.  He  later  united  with  the  Unitarians 
and  in  1909  with  the  Universalists.  He  has  preached 
in  Greenville,  Milford,  Farmers,  Mt.  Carmel,  Mt. 
Gilead,  and  in  other  states. 

1909  *Orin  Edson  Crooker.  Born  Tekonsha,  Michigan, 
February  29,  1874,  educated  at  Wisconsin  and  St. 
Lawrence,  and  ordained  in  New  York  in  1901.  He 
preached  at  Cleveland  and  in  other  states. 

1908  ^Frederick  Waldron  Evans.  Born  Chelsea,  Mass., 
Jan.  4,  1868.  Ordained  Mass.,  1892.  Preached  in 
Cuba,  Hamilton,  Mt.  Carmel,  Milford,  Springboro. 

1908  *Herbert  H.  Graves.  Came  from  Pennsylvania  and 
preached  at  Columbus. 

1908  *Roeert  Scott  Kellerman.  Born  at  Cedar  Hill, 
September  19,  1855,  educated  at  Tufts,  and  ordained 
in  Massachusetts  in  1879.  He  preached  at  Blanchester 
and  other  points  for  four  years  and  in  other  states. 

1908  *Joshua  Lehr  Wolbach.  Born  Nazareth,  Pa.  Or¬ 
dained  in  Reformed  Church  1881.  Licensed  and 
fellowshipped  by  the  Convention  and  preached  in 
Belpre  and  Little  Hocking.  Returned  to  Ohio  in  1922, 
preaching  at  Miami  City,  Conover,  Westville. 

1909  *Roger  F.  Etz.  Born  at  Akron,  April  30,  1886,  and 
lived  there  and  at  Cleveland.  Educated  at  Tufts  and 
ordained  in  New  Hampshire,  March  4,  1913.  No  Ohio 
pastorate. 

1909  Martha  Moore.  Licensed  by  the  Convention. 

1910  *Seward  H.  Baker.  Born  in  Monroe  county,  Michi¬ 
gan,  educated  at  Valparaiso  and  Meadville,  preached 
for  the  Unitarians,  and  united  with  the  Universalists 


220  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


in  1910.  He  preached  at  Plain  City  and  Woodstock, 
Attica  and  Belleville,  and  moved  to  Kansas  in  1914. 

1910  *Anthony  B.  Beresford,  D.D.  Pastor  at  Cincinnati 
since  1910. 

1910  * W illiam  Couden.  The  son  of  Rev.  H.  N.  Couden. 
Born  Harrison,  July  30,  1874.  Studied  at  Buchtel. 
Preached  in  Norwalk,  leaving  there  in  1914  for  In¬ 
diana.  In  war  service  as  chaplain. 

1910  John  P.  Elhuff.  Licensed  by  the  Convention. 

1910  ^Charles  Ellsworth  Petty.  Born  at  Frost,  October 
26,  1866,  educated  at  Buchtel  and  Tufts,  and  ordained 
in  Massachusetts  in  1899.  He  preached  in  Cleveland 
six  years  and  in  other  states. 

1 9 1 1  James  Wyatt  Grimmer.  Born  at  Ariton,  Alabama, 
educated  at  Camp  Hill  and  Lombard,  and  ordained  at 
Ariton  in  1908.  He  preached  at  McConnelsville, 
Watertown,  Lower  Salem,  Frost,  Belpre,  Little  Hock¬ 
ing,  Belleville,  and  North  Olmstead,  dying  at  the 
latter  place  on  December  10,  1918. 

1911  *Harry  Leroy  Hayward.  Born  in  Ohio,  Nov.  1,  1886. 
Lived  in  Clermont  and  Warren  counties.  Educated  a 
Methodist.  Ordained  by  Universalists  of  Indiana. 
Supplied  in  Dayton  church. 

1911  Charles  William  Hilstren.  Born  in  Sweden  about 
1868,  educated  at  Lombard.  He  preached  in  other 
states  and  in  Mason  and  Marion,  dying  at  the  latter 
place  December  30,  1913. 

1911  *Richard  H.  McLaughlin.  The  son  of  Rev.  Ira 
McLaughlin.  Has  had  no  Ohio  pastorates. 

1912  *Francis  A.  Gray,  D.D.  Preached  at  Akron. 

1912  J.  Spencer  Smith.  A  resident  of  Cincinnati,  licensed 
by  the  Convention. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  221 


1913  *Francis  Britton  Bishop,  D.D.  Born  New  London, 
la.,  June  30,  1875.  Ordained  in  Illinois,  1903. 
Preached  at  Columbus,  after  which  he  became  state 
superintendent.  In  1920  he  left  this  position  to  become 
Southern  Superintendent. 

1913  Mansfield  Johnson.  Preached  at  Springboro. 

1913  George  E.  MacIlwain.  Preached  at  Bryan. 

1914  *Allen  Brown.  Born  at  Sparta,  Michigan,  October 
7,  1866,  educated  at  Tufts,  and  ordained  in  New 
Hampshire  in  1894.  He  preached  at  Norwalk  and 
Peru  and  in  other  states. 

1914  George  Crum.  Born  near  Warren,  Indiana,  in  1859, 
educated  at  Lombard.  He  preached  in  other  states, 
coming  to  Marion  only  a  few  months  before  his  death. 

1914  *Harlan  E.  Glazier,  M.A.  Born  at  Virgil,  New 
York,  educated  at  Union  College  and  Harvard  Divin¬ 
ity,  ordained  at  Columbus  in  1916.  He  preached  at 
Woodstock  and  Plain  City  for  about  two  years. 

1915  *George  Cross  Baner.  Born  Baltimore,  Md.,  Feb. 
28,  1876.  Ordained  New  York,  1899.  Has  preached 
at  Akron  since  1913. 

1914  *  William  Julius  Metz,  Born  at  Buffalo,  New  York, 
June  14,  1884,  educated  at  St.  Lawrence,  and  ordained 
in  New  York  in  1909.  He  has  preached  in  Attica, 
Belleville,  Mt.  Gilead,  in  the  Washington  Association, 
and  also  in  other  states. 

1915  *Ezekiel  Vose  Stevens.  Born  at  North  Turner, 
Maine,  November  20,  1859,  educated  at  Maine,  Wes¬ 
leyan  and  St.  Lawrence,  and  ordained  in  Maine  in 
1895.  He  has  preached  in  Columbus  and  North  Ilm- 
stead  and  in  other  states. 

1915  *L.  Griswold  Williams.  Preached  in  Grennville 
and  Marion.  In  Friends  Reconstruction  work  in 
France. 


222  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1916  *W.  W.  Betts.  Preached  at  Bryan  and  Lyons.  Re¬ 
turned  to  Ohio  1922  to  preach  at  'Norwalk  and  Attica. 

1916  *Ray  Darwin  Cranmer.  Born  at  Towanda,  Penn¬ 
sylvania,  and  lived  in  Barberton,  Ohio,  during  youth. 
He  was  educated  at  St.  Lawrence  and  ordained  there 
in  1912.  He  has  preached  in  Vermont  and  in  Cleve¬ 
land.  Moved  to  Illinois,  1919. 

1916  *Martin  Fereshetian.  Born  in  Armenia  and  edu¬ 
cated  at  Meadville.  He  preached  in  Kent. 

1916  * W illiam  Ezra  Leavitt.  Born  at  Cherry  Valley, 
Ontario,  educated  at  St.  Lawrence,  and  ordained  in 
New  York  in  1890.  He  has  preached  in  other  states 
and  at  Summit,  Jersey,  Mason,  and  Springboro. 

1916  B.  E.  Phillips.  Preached  at  North  Olmstead. 

1916  *Elton  Wilson.  Preached  in  Norwalk. 

1917  *Eleanor  Bisbee.  Born  Beverly,  N.  J.,  July  22,  1893. 
Ordained  Mass.  1917.  Preached  at  Mason  and  Spring¬ 
boro.  Also  served  as  Sunday  School  Superintendent 
for  Ohio  for  six  months  in  1921. 

1917  * W illiam  R.  Rowland.  Born  at  East  Corinth,  Ver¬ 
mont  in  1875,  educated  University  of  Vermont,  and 
became  a  physician.  He  was  ordained  by  the  Con¬ 
vention  January  1,  1917,  and  has  preached  at  New 
Madison,  Blanchester,  and  Cuba. 

1917  *George  Hosea  Welch.  Born  at  Groton,  Vermont, 
October  20,  1889,  educated  at  St.  Lawrence,  and 
ordained  in  New  York  in  1915.  He  has  preached  in 
other  states  and  in  Norwalk  and  Attica.  He  was  in 
war  service  as  Chaplain.  Moved  to  Conn.  1920. 

1917  *Elmo  Arnold  Robinson.  Born  at  Portland,  Maine,' 
January  1,  1887,  Ordained  in  New  York  in  1912. 
Preached  in  other  states  and  in  Plain  City  and  Wood- 
stock. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES  OF  OHIO  MINISTERS  223 


1919  Jesse  B.  Fosher.  Born  at  Blakesburg,  Indiana, 
November  25,  1847  and  ordained  in  that  state  in  1887. 
Has  preached  in  other  states  and  at  Conover  and 
Miami  City.  Died  at  Troy  April  6,  1922. 

1919  *Henry  Clay  Ledyard.  Born  Sturges,  Mich.,  Aug. 
2,  1880.  Ordained  by  Congregationalists  in  La.,  1907. 
Preached  in  other  states  and  at  Blanchester  and  Cuba. 

1919  *Thomas  Milton  Murray.  Born  Manchester,  Eng., 
Dec.  5,  1892.  Ordained  Chicago,  1919.  Pastor  at 
Eaton  and  Eldorado. 

1920  *Charles  A.  Alden.  Pastor  at  Columbus. 

1920  *John  P.  Martin.  Methodist  minister  of  George¬ 
town,  unites  with  the  Columbus  Church. 

1920  * Edward  Alvan  Lewis.  Born  Haverhill,  Mass.,  July 
6,  1895.  Ordained  New  York,  1919.  Pastor  at  Kent 
and  Brimfield  for  two  years. 

1920  *Harold  Guy  Don  Scott.  Born  Newport,  Vt.,  1892. 
Ordained  Maine,  1917.  Pastor  at  Cincinnati  one  year. 

1920  *Isaac  Veeder  Lobdell.  Born  East  Berne,  N.  Y., 
Oct.  8,  1880.  Ordained  N.  Y.,  1909.  Became  Ohio 
Superintendent  Dec.  1,  1920. 

1920  ^Herbert  S.  Bigelow.  An  independent  minister  of 
Cincinnati  who  was  fellowshipped. 

1920  *Rufus  Hopkins  Dix.  Born  Holliston,  Mass.,  Dec. 
28,  1877.  Ordained  Mass.,  1903.  Pastor  at  Cleveland. 

1920  *Frederick  R.  Millar.  Temporary  pastor  at  Eldo¬ 
rado. 

1920  *Hal  Horace  Lloyd.  A  Unitarian  of  Marietta  who 
preached  at  Belpre. 

*Lewis  Roy  Lowry.  Born  Saginaw,  Mich.,  Aug.  17, 
1894,  of  Ohio  stock.  Ordained  New  York,  1919. 
Pastor  at  Bellville  and  Attica. 


1921 


224  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


1922  *John  Edwin  Price.  Born  W.  Taghanac,  N.  Y. 
Ordained  N.  Y.,  1918.  Pastor  at  Cincinnati,  Mont¬ 
gomery,  and  Milford. 

1922  *Harriet  Evans  Druley.  Born  Middleport,  N.  Y., 
Feb.  21,  1888.  Resident  of  Belpre.  Ordained  N.  Y., 
1922.  Summer  supply  at  Frost,  Little  Hocking,  Lower 
Salem. 

1922  *John  F.  Fogelsong.  Pastor  at  Bryan  and  Lyons. 

1922  *Almira  L.  Cheyney.  Born  Saybrook,  Ill.,  1875. 
Ordained  Ill.,  1908.  State  Director  of  Sunday  Schools. 

1922  ^Robert  Tipton.  A  Congregationalist  of  Iowa  who 
became  pastor  at  No.  Olmstead. 

1922  *Harry  M.  Wright.  Pastor  at  Kent. 


Concerning  the  following  ministers  no  dates  are  available : 

Amaziah  Dodge.  A  resident  of  Oxford. 

Joseph  Gipson.  A  resident  of  Sangamon  who  preached 
Universalism  but  remained  a  Tunker. 

Hawes.  Preached  at  Columbus. 

D.  S.  Morey.  Preached  at  Belpre. 

Nelson  Olin.  Born  in  1816  and  died  1908.  Lived  at  Kent. 

I.  B.  Quimby.  Preached  at  Hamilton. 

William  B.  Snell.  Preached  at  Plain  City. 

J.  M.  Stanley,  D.D.  Preached  at  Dayton. 

Basserman.  Preached  at  Dayton. 

Bartlett.  Preached  at  Marietta  and  Belpre. 

J.  B.  Brown. 

Campbell.  Lived  near  Wilkesville  for  many  years. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 


THE  OLD  UNIVERSALISM  AND  THE  NEW 

Early  Universalism  in  Ohio  was  a  simple  message. 
God  the  Father  of  all  will  save  all.  This  was  the 
burden  of  the  majority  of  sermons  for  whatever  the 
topic  or  the  text  a  place  would  be  found  for  this 
specifically  Universalist  message.  With  it  as  a  basis 
the  simple  rudimentary  virtues  were  expounded. 

Early  Universalism  was  a  definite  message.  Among 
its  adherents  was  a  pretty  general  agreement  upon 
those  questions  regarded  by  religious  people  as  funda¬ 
mental.  Here  and  there  might  be  an  odd  individual, 
holding  views  at  variance  with  those  of  most  of  the 
denomination.  From  the  days  of  Jonathan  Kid  well 
and  Robert  Smith  there  have  been  and  will  always 
be  such.  But  they  have  always  been  the  exceptions, 
and  in  the  early  days  there  was  little  excuse  for  doubt 
or  misunderstanding  as  to  what  Universalists  believed. 

Early  Universalism  had  for  its  primary  purpose  the 
conversion  of  the  intellect.  Declaring  open  warfare 
against  the  other  sects,  it  sought  to  convince  its  oppo¬ 
nents  that  it  was  the  most  correct  interpretation  of 
Christianity,  both  historically,  logically  and  theolog- 


225 


226  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


ically.  To  be  sure,  moral  ideals  were  upheld,  but  a 
righteous  life  was  believed  to  flow  naturally  from 
right  conceptions  of  religion. 

The  bases  of  these  characteristics  of  early  Univer- 
salism  were  the  simple  structure  of  society,  the  un¬ 
settled  conditions  of  the  sects,  and  the  atmosphere  of 
argument.  The  simple  message  was  a  reflection  of 
the  simple  social  life  of  the  people.  An  approximate 
equality  of  status  prevailed.  There  were  no  large 
factories,  no  large  employers,  no  large  fortunes.  In 
general  all  worked,  and  all  worked  together.  And 
each  community  was  largely  independent  of  every 
other. 

Within  this  simple  social  structure  there  was  an 
unsettled  sectarian  alignment.  Schisms,  divisions  and 
new  denominations  were  the  expected  order  of  the 
day.  To  change  from  one  communion  to  another 
was  easy.  In  the  new  country  there  were  few  old 
ties  to  keep  one  in  an  organization  that  did  not  really 
represent  one’s  views.  Hence,  men  of  like  minds 
grouped  themselves  together  and  the  message  of  the 
group  was  given  a  very  definite  character. 

The  relationship  between  the  sects  was  one  of  argu¬ 
ment.  Debates  were  popular.  They  were  an  impor¬ 
tant  part  of  the  education  of  the  young  and  of  the 
recreation  of  the  entire  community.  They  were 
deemed  a  fair  method  of  presenting  divergent  views. 
That  Universalists  should  be  controversialists  was 
but  natural. 


THE  OLD  UNIVERSALISM  AND  THE  NEW  227 


Since  the  days  of  early  Universalism  great  social 
and  religious  changes  had  swept  over  Ohio.  Social 
life  has  become  complex.  Among  the  people  is  a 
growing  inequality  of  status.  Factories,  fortunes, 
poverty  differentiate  the  population  into  strata.  Com¬ 
munities  are  no  longer  independent,  the  world  is  be¬ 
coming  recognized  as  a  unit.  Under  such  conditions 
the  various  denominations  of  Christianity,  and  Uni¬ 
versalism  among  them,  have  developed  a  more  complex 
message. 

To-day  the  sects  are  far  more  settled  than  in  the 
early  years.  The  creation  of  new  sects  is  a  rarer 
phenomenon,  or  at  least  attracts  less  attention.  Church 
membership  involves  the  associations  of  years,  or  per¬ 
haps  of  generations.  It  is  more  difficult  psycho¬ 
logically  and  more  unusual  to  transfer  one's  allegiance 
from  one  denomination  to  another.  When  such  a 
transfer  is  made  it  is  often  for  social,  business,  or 
family  reasons  rather  than  because  of  changed  convic¬ 
tions.  And  so  it  happens  that  men  of  like  minds  are 
separated  among  rival  camps,  whereas  those  of  unlike 
minds  are  often  grouped  together.  Thus  the  messages 
of  the  sects,  Universalism  among  them,  have  become 
less  definite. 

The  atmosphere  of  argument  has  been  replaced  by 
one  of  cooperation.  Debates  are  rare:  other  modes  of 
education  and  recreation  have  become  more  popular. 
There  is  less  interest  in  truth  in  the  abstract  and  more 
interest  in  names,  phrases  and  organizations.  Instead 


228  THE  UNIVERSALIST  CHURCH  IN  OHIO 


of  rallying  to  some  doctrine,  men  prefer  to  cooperate 
with  others,  regardless  of  opinion,  in  some  task  which 
arrests  the  attention  and  wins  the  applause  of  the  pub¬ 
lic.  As  this  process  has  gone  on  Universalism  has  lost 
its  controversial  nature  and  taken  its  place  as  one  of  the 
cooperating  departments  of  the  Church. 

The  new  Universalism,  then,  seeks  to  adapt  itself 
to  the  new  occasions  and  new  duties  of  the  day.  No 
longer  content  with  merely  convincing  the  reason,  it 
seeks  to  educate  the  will.  It  seeks  to  formulate  and 
apply  the  corollaries  of  its  faith  rather  than  to  reiterate 
the  proof  of  its  main  proposition.  It  welcomes  indi¬ 
viduality  of  opinion  within  its  own  membership  and 
cooperation  of  effort  with  those  of  other  faiths.  And 
so  the  history  of  Ohio  Universalism  has  been  a  story 
of  a  changing  church.  To-day  is  not  yesterday.  The 
heritage  of  the  past  is  not  forgotten,  the  old  spirit 
remains  but  the  tasks  are  ever  new. 

Thus  have  Universalists  and  the  Church  of  their 
creating  contributed  to  the  religious  life  and  thought  of 
the  people  of  Ohio. 

“He  drew  a  circle  to  shut  me  out — 

Heretic,  rebel,  a  thing  to  flout. 

But  Love  and  I  had  the  wit  to  win; 

We  drew  a  circle  that  took  him  in !” 


APPENDICES 


230 


APPENDICES 


APPENDIX 

OHIO  STATE 


Date 

Place 

President 

or 

Moderator 

Vice-President 

Secretary 

or 

Standing  Clerk 

1826 

1827 

Jacksonburgh 

Franklin 

S.  Tizzard 

P.  J.  Labertaw 

1828 

Eaton 

J.  Kidwell 

A.  H.  Longley 

4  4 

I  4 

1829 

1830 

Philanthropy 

Oxford 

E.  Singer 

1831 

1832 

1833 

Gallipolis  (?) 
Philomath, 

John  Winn 

S.  Tizzard 

1834 

1835 

Indiana 

Mt.  Vernon 
Ashland 

F.  H.  Johnson 

J.  F.  Owen 

S.  Tizzard 

1836 

Belpre 

L.  L.  Sadler 

L.  L.  Sadler 

1837 

Fredericktown 

4  » 

4  4 

1838 

Akron 

F.  Loring 

S.  A.  Davis 

1839 

Springfield 

J.  Whitney 

Geo.  Mesenger 

1840 

Newark 

Henry  Morse 

Alfred  Peck 

1841 

Fredericktown 

Alpheus  Jewett 

E.  M.  Pingree 

4  4 

1842 

Peru 

Geo.  Messenger 

1843 

Montgomery 

Benjamin  Baldwin, 

M.  L.  Edwards, 

1844 

Woodstock 

Edwardsville 
•  » 

Belpre 

4  4 

1845 

Ravenna 

«  t 

4  « 

1846 

Columbus 

*  * 

1847 

Dayton 

D.  R.  Biddlecome 

Mahlon  Wright 

1848 

Marietta 

Wm.  P.  Putnam 

G.  S.  Weaver 

1849 

Columbus 

E.  Singer 

4  4 

1850 

Westfield 

Asa  Marble 

1851 

Springboro 

Henry  Gifford 

D.  Bacon 

1852 

Dayton 

W.  Y.  Emmett, 

W.  W.  Curry, 

1853 

Marietta 

Cincinnati 

A.  Luce, 

Oxford 

Bernard  Peters, 

1854 

Cincinnati 

Oxford 

4  4 

Cincinnati 
Jesse  Beals, 

1855 

Monroe,  Preble  Co. 

Mahlon  Wright, 

New  Vienna 

I.  M.  Warwick, 

1856 

Dayton 

Springboro 

G.  R.  Brown 

Hamilton 

I.  W.  Putnam, 

1857 

Brimfield 

Geo.  Messenger, 

Belpre 

4  4 

1858 

Reynoldsburg 

Springfield 

W.  H.  Baldwin 

W.  W.  Norton 

1859 

Blanchester 

4  4 

W.  S.  Bacon 

1860 

1861 

Springboro  (?) 
Peru 

W.  H.  Baldwin 

W.  S.  Bacon 

1862 

Olmstead 

4  4 

4  4 

1863 

Newtown 

G.  L.  Demerest, 

4  4 

1864 

1865 

Methodist  Ch. 
M  c  Connells  ville 
Willoughby 

Cincinnati 

S.  P.  Carlton 

V.  P.  Wilson 

1866 

Springfield, 

4  4 

4  4 

City  Hall 

APPENDIX  I 


231 


I 

CONVENTION 


Treasurer 


W.  P.  Putnam 


4  4 
4  4 


Trustees  and  years  of  service 


Superintendent 

or 

Missionary 


Total 

Dele¬ 

gates 


Perma¬ 

nent 

Funds 


Chandler  Rogers 

4  * 


C.  Cooke 
T.  H.  Johnson 
Wm.  Eppert, 
Amelia 

4  * 

Martin  Kellogg 

4  4 
4  4 

A.  H.  Longley 
Martin  Kellogg 

4  4 
4  4 
4  4 


W.  H.  Baldwin  5,  J.  A.  Gurley  2, 
M.  Wright  s 


E.  D.  Williams, 
Delhi 

4  4 


J.  J.  Russell  2 


H.  J.  Pettit  i 


4  4 


Mahlon  Wright, 
Springboro 


H.  Blandy  2,  L.  G.  Vanslack  i 
G.  L.  Demerest  2 
Wm.  McFerren  5 


Mahlon  Wright, 
Springboro 

4  4 


G.Turrell  3,Vespaisian  Stearns, 
2 


A.  S.  Curtis  1 


Mahlon  Wright, 
Springboro 

4  4 


S.  P.  Carlton  3,  C.  Styer  1,  J. 
W.  Henley  4,  J.  S.  Cantwel 
S,  Smith  Thomas 


26 

8 

21 

21 

31 

32 

26 

27 
18 

28 
17 


43 


25 


40 


232 


APPENDICES 


APPENDIX 

OHIO  STATE 


Date 

Place 

President 

or 

Moderator 

Vice-President 

Secretary 

or 

Standing  Clerk 

1867 

Mt.  Gilead 

Henry  Blandy, 
Zanesville 

V.  P.  Wilson 

1868 

Dayton 

Elihu  Thompson, 
Dayton 

A.  Countryman 

E.  L.  Rexford 

1869 

McConnells  ville 

4  4 

1870 

Kent 

J.  Q.  A.  Tresize 

4  4 

1871 

Columbus 

J.  A.  Cantwell 

Henry  Blandy 

4  4 

1872 

Akron,  Buchtel 
College 

t  t 

E.  L.  Rexford, 
Columbus 

A.  M.  Sherman, 
Kent 

J.  F.  Gates 

1873 

•  » 

4  4 

Wm.  H.  Slade, 
Columbus 

1874 

Cleveland 

A.  S.  Curtis 

Mrs.  D.  C.  Tom¬ 
linson 

4  4 

187S 

Columbus 

A.  M.  Sherman, 
Kent 

Mrs.  A.  E.  Dan- 
forth,  Peru 

T.  C.  Druley 

1876 

Norwalk 

l  « 

4  4 

Frank  Evans 

1877 

Belpre 

G.  T.  Craven, 
Cincinnati 

—  Ralph 

Edward  Morris 

1878 

Belleville 

•  • 

A.  M.  Sherman, 

4  4 

1879 

Akron,  Buchtel 
College 

J.  R.  Buchtel, 
Akron 

B.  Kent  Thomas, 
Hamilton 

T.  C.  Druley 

1880 

Blanchester 

J.  S.  Cantwell 

Mrs.  A.  E.  Dan- 
forth 

4  4 

1881 

Akron 

S.  N.  Owen, 

Bryan 

1  4 

Richard  Eddy 

4  4 

1882 

Bryan 

G.  S.  Weaver 

J.  F.  Rice 

1883 

Norwalk 

B.  F.  Thomas, 
Hamilton 

A.  M.  Sherman, 
Kent 

J.  P.  MacLean, 
Hamilton 

1884 

West  ville 

A.  M.  Sherman, 
Kent 

G.  T.  Craven 

J.  W.  Henley, 
Woodstock 

1885 

Woodstock 

W.  J.  Littell, 
Cincinnati 

Mrs.  A.  E.  Dan- 
forth 

4  4 

1886 

Cincinnati, 

Plum  St. 

4  • 

4  4 

4  4 

1887 

No.  Lewisburg 

A.  B.  Tinker, 
Akron 

W.  J.  Littel 

4  4 

1888 

Stryker 

4  * 

John  Potter,  Flint 

4  4 

1889 

Akron 

1  4 

J.  H.  Blackford, 
Eldorado 

4  4 

1890 

Akron 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1891 

Columbus 

C.  M.  Knight, 
Akron 

B.  F.  Thomas, 
Hamilton 

4  4 

1892 

Eldorado 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1893 

Hamilton 

4  4 

1894 

Ravenna 

4  4 

C.  C.  Conner 

189s 

Cleveland,  Wilson 
Av.  M.  E.  Ch. 

W.  D.  Shipman, 
Akron 

E.  L.  Rexford, 
Columbus 

4  4 

1896 

Attica 

Harry  Canfield, 
Belleville 

R.  N.  John, 
London 

4  4 

1897 

Blanchester 

4  4 

4  4 

1898 

Belleville 

4  4 

Carl  Henry, 
Cleveland 

4  4 

APPENDIX  I 


233 


I — Continued 

CONVENTION — Continued 


Treasurer 

Trustees  and  years  of  service 

Superintendent 

or 

Missionary 

Total 

Dele¬ 

gates 

Perma¬ 

nent 

Funds 

Mahlon  Wright, 

John  Field  i,  M.  R.  Matthews  i 

60 

Springboro 
<  « 

4  i 

4  « 

4  4 

Thos.  Edmond- 

Henry  Canfield  2,  A.  Wilson  3, 
0.  Haymaker  2 

Jos.  Whitley  1,  R.  T.  Polk  2, 

S.  P.  Carlton  3 

H.  Blandy  1,  T.  J.  Marsh  1,  J. 

T.  Rice  1 

W.  H.  Slade  12,  S.  Beebe  2 

G.  R.  Brown 

4  4 

son,  Springfield 

t  t 

4  4 

J.  W.  Henley  1 

J.  T.  Rice  2,  W.  B.  Woodbury  3 

N.  A.  Saxton 

67 

<  1 

D.  S.  Wall, 

Henry  Canfield  3 

4  4 

Andrew  Wilson 

108 

Akron 

Thos.  J.  Larsh, 

A.  B.  Robinson  6 

W.  C.  Brooks 

Eaton 

4  4 

t  4 

G.  T.  Craven  3 

T.  C.  Druley 

76 

$87.50 

4  4 

4  4 

66 

250 

4  4 

4  4 

106 

380 

4  4 

John  Potter  3 

70 

70 

Jn.  Richardson, 

S.  M.  Burnham  3 

600 

Westville 

4  4 

Henry  Canfield  2 

660 

4  4 

B.  F.  Thomas  3 

85 

800 

4  4 

W.  H.  Slade  7,  E.  T.  Pember  2 

Henry  Canfield 

73 

1,510 

4  4 

4  4 

2,760 

4  4 

E.  Whitney  3,  C.  E.  Nash  3 

4  4 

75 

8,640 

VV.  D.  Sibley, 

4  4 

9.050 

Woodstock 

4  4 

103 

13.900 

4  4 

John  Richardson  3,  E.  A.  Gor¬ 
don  X 

107 

17,600 

4  4 

J.  D.  Streeper  2 

4  4 

81 

17,600 

L.  D.  Crosley  2 

4  4 

92 

18,000 

4  4 

U.  S.  Milburn 

J .  W.  Henley 

4  4 

52 

17.900 

A.  E.  Danforth  1,  T.  G.  Briggsi 

56 

18,100 

4  4 

W.  F.  Adams  2,  Jennie  Giffordi 

4  4 

80 

18,400 

4  4 

0.  G.  Colegrove  3,  A.  F.  Will¬ 
iams  1 

4  4 

78 

19,500 

Theo.  L.  Gerber, 

I.  A.  Priest,  6  E.  J.  Littell  3 

I.  W,  Cate 

50 

17.500 

Belleville 

234 


APPENDICES 


APPENDIX 

OHIO  STATE 


President 

Secretary 

Date 

Place 

or 

Vice-President 

or 

Moderator 

Standing  Clerk 

1899 

Summit 

Henrietta  Moore, 

Carl  Henry, 

J.  W.  Henley, 

Springfield 

Cleveland 

Woodstock 

1900 

Eaton 

Carl  Henry, 

A.  B.  Church, 

E.  M.  Waller, 

Cleveland 

Akron 

Ravenna 

1901 

Akron 

Greenville 

1  * 

4  4 

C.  E.  Jones, 
Springboro 

4  4 

1902 

1903 

New  Madison 

4  4 

4  4 

John  Richardson, 

Westville 

1904 

Attica 

A.  B.  Church, 

Aro.  D.  Sanders, 

4  4 

Akron 

Norwalk 

1905 

Blanchester 

4  4 

4  4 

R.  N.  John, 

Blanchester 

1906 

Lyons 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1907 

Norwalk 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1908 

Mt.  Gilead 

4  4 

4  4 

I.  A.  Priest, 

Akron 

1909 

Columbus 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1910 

Plain  City 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1911 

Cincinnati 

4  4 

A.  P.  Henkel, 

4  4 

1912 

Eldorado 

«  4 

4  4 

4  4 

I9U 

Akron 

H.  M.  Fowler, 

Aro  D.  Sanders, 

4  4 

Cleveland 

Norwalk 

1914 

Cleveland 

4  4 

4  4 

C.  E,  Petty. 

Cleveland 

1915 

Marion 

4  4 

4  4 

F.  B.  Bishop, 

Columbus 

1916 

New  Madison 

4  4 

U,  S.  Ray, 

4  4 

New  Madison 

4  4 

1917 

Attica 

W.  O.  Jameson, 

4  4 

4  4 

Columbus 

1918 

Blanchester 

4  4 

Arthur  Nash 

4  4 

Cincinnati 

1919 

Norwalk 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1920 

Plain  City 

4  4 

4  4 

-4  4 

1921 

Kent 

4  4 

H.  E.  Simmons, 

I.  V.  Lobdell, 

Akron 

Columbus 

1922 

New  Madison 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

APPENDIX  I 


235 


I — Continued 


CONVENTION — Continued 


Treasurer 

Trustees  and  years  of  service 

Superintendent 

?r 

Missionary 

Total 

Dele¬ 

gates 

Perma¬ 

nent 

Funds 

Theo.  L.  Garber, 

0.  G.  Colegrove 

83 

$18,600 

Belleville 

Emma  L.  James, 

J.  H,  Blackford  3 

4  4 

84 

19,400 

Cincinnati 

4  4 

Edward  Morris  4 

4  4 

22,900 

i  4 

4  4 

20,700 

4  t 

E.  T.  Binns  3 

4  4 

67 

23,000 

4  4 

Carl  Henry  3 

4  4 

23,000 

4  4 

jvI.  A.  Brown  3 

4  4 

24,000 

4  4 

0.  F.  Haymaker  2 

68 

22,000 

4  4 

J.  D.  Streeper  6 

76 

22,600 

4  4 

Ira  S.  Davis  3,  S.  B.  Oakes  1 

0.  G.  Colegrove 

72 

23,700 

4  4 

S.  E.  Hinkle  3 

4  4 

105 

23,100 

102 

23.300 

4  4 

L.  M.  Garber  3 

4  4 

9i 

23.300 

4  4 

W.  0.  Jameson  3 

‘  *  and 

27,300 

4  4 

Geo.  C.  Jackson 

R.  S.  Kellerman 

4  4 

76 

27,400 

C.  R.  Olin 

F.  B.  Bishop  1 

74 

28,800 

4  4 

Chapin  Beem,  J.  W.  Grimmer 

F.  B.  Bishop 

•  .  . 

27,700 

4  4 

4  4 

George  C.  Jackson  3 

4  4 

27,000 

4  4 

H.  M.  Fowler  3, 

4  4 

.  .  . 

31.400 

4  4 

George  C.  Jackson  3 

4  4 

.  .  . 

58,900 

4  4 

John  Evans  3 

4  4 

106 

71,000 

4  4 

W.  R.  Hageman  3 

4  4 

... 

60,200 

4  4 

Chapin  Beem  3 

I.  V.  Lobdell 

143 

60,100 

4  4 

John  Evans  3 

4  4 

I3i 

65,700 

APPENDIX  II 


OHIO  WOMEN’S  UNI  VERS  ALIST  MISSIONARY  ALLIANCE 


Date 

President 

Corresponding 

Secretary 

Recording 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

1890 

Abbie  E.  Danforth 

Mary  E.  Scott 

L.  J.  Canfield 

1891 

4  t 

Mary  G.  Canfield 

4  4 

Emma  James 

1892 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1894 

1  < 

4  4 

4  4 

1895 

4  1 

Frances  Wilson 

4  4 

1896 

Mrs.  R.  N.  John 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1897 

Mrs.  A.  E.  H.  Clark 

4  4 

Sara  L.  Stoner 

4  4 

1898 

Mary  Andrews 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1899 

Abbie  E.  Danforth 

«  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1900 

Anna  A.  Herj 

•  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1901 

i  4 

4  4 

Clara  J.  Rhoades 

4  4 

1902 

4  0 

4  4 

Jennie  Warwick 

4  4 

1903 

4  1 

4  4 

1904 

4  4 

Hattie  M.  Benton 

4  4 

4  4 

1905 

Mrs.  S.  G.  Ayres 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1906 

1  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1907 

4  4 

Sara  L.  Stoner 

4  4 

4  4 

1908 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1909 

Henrietta  G.  Moore 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1910 

1911 

‘  4 

1912 

1913 

1914 

Flora  B.  Corning 

Ethel  M.  Allen 

4  4 

4  4 

1915 

4  4 

4  4 

Sara  L.  Stoner 

Sadie  E.  Young 

1916 

Ethel  M.  Allen 

Millie  A.  Suhr 

Nellie  Hasler 

Lutie  M.  Gard 

1917 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

Katie  J.  Kelley 

4  4 

1918 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

1919 

Millie  A.  Suhr 

Jennie  Uible 

Martha  Crider 

Nellie  Hasler 

1920 

4  4 

Nellie  Hasler 

Katie  Kelly 

4  « 

Minnie  Moon 

1921 

Gertrude  Gladwin 

4  4 

4  4 

1922 

4  4 

4  4 

4  1 

F.  R.  Easton 

237 


THE  OHIO  STATE  CONVENTION  OF  UNIVERSALIST  SUNDAY  SCHOOLS 


238 


APPENDICES 


u 

(1) 

G 

tn 


T3 

O 

O 

be 

in 

o 


C/5 

t-c 


o 

to 

a 

o 

s 

33 

•  y  4 

‘o 

£ 

£ 

CO 

b 

ca 

a 

Q 

s 

d 

u, 

TS  *ca 

Aw 


bfl 

G 

’*3  b 

a  £ 

§  8 
C  <U 

O 


.  >* 
>>  <u 

.2*3 
e  o 

-AS 


G 

o 

> 

o 


o 

o 

a 

>> 

ca 

•J 

CO 


t/j 

£ 

V 

u, 

G 

< 


in 


6  d  S 


t~. 

aJ 

o 

a 

d: 


tn 


u. 

<u 

u 

O 

CJ 

a> 


T3 

t- 

O 

«+h 

X 

o 

a- 


W 


OT 


>> 

aS 

Q 


g  a  g  g 

O  <D  c  S 
ca  o>  o> 

ww>, 

£d 

K-J  .6 


tn 

G 

O 

i 

w  £ 

•  r-H 

•geo 

•  H  • 

"a 

ca 

W  G 
.52  ca 
13  i£ 

S3 


o 


a  ca 

|s&. 

a  o  .- 

aal 

»— <  3  ct3 

3*2 


•*H  ^ 

U  o 

ttG ' — ; 

<D  _r!  - 

o-^ 
fa  d 


=3  G 

<u 

W  <U 
to  u. 


,  «o 

'  gjj 

U  J 


G 

<D 

*G 
•  »-< 
in 

o 

u 

fa 

■ 

<D 

o 


T3 


as 


*.2 

CQ^ 

&£ 

«.G 

a  fa 


bfl 

to 

as 

u. 

o 

£ 

ca 


o 

O 

o 


aJ 

to 

< 


. T3 

.  !_ 

.  o 

::::::  S 

g .  a 

o . _£3 

3  :  :  :  :  :  :  « 

*  ^  ••••••  • 

&•••••:  Z 


G 

O 

O 


u 


G 

a) 


G 

O  G 
o  o 

tn 


i3rS- 


to 

a) 


«.a 

’ — !  tO 

13  1/3 
0) 


«< 
d 


m 
o 
o 

§ 

dS£ 


tn 


G 

<u 

T3 

• 

C/5 

0) 

u 

fa 


0) 

o 

G 

u 

« 

•  * 

£' 


12 

T5 

■a 

ca 

U: 

3 

a 


to 

£ 

aJ 

TG 

C 

d 


G  G 

•  H 

>  O 

>  to 

o£3 

a 

<u 

Q*  Wi 

G 

^<3 


G 

ca  I, 

£  £ 

■Sgg 

“£2-- 


S  d 

<Wi 


pH 


G 

O 

O:  : 

d 

o 


oS 

£ 

>5 

as 

a: 


OJ 


to 

o  ±2 
-2  G  t2 
O  WhJ 


o  cod^ 


Q> 

H-> 

ca 

Q 


vo 

•  a\  o 

•  vo 

•  rO  tJ-  lOvO  t>.00  On 

•  O  H  (N  fOi1  lOO  t^oo 

vO  vO 

•  vo 

• 

•  oo  oo  oo  oo  oo  oo  oo 

•  OvO'CfNOvGvONONGvCT' 

00  00 

•  oo  oo 

•  00 

•  oo  oo  oo  oo  oo  oo  oo 

•  ooooooooooooooocooi 

►H  ►H 

•  HH  HH 

THE  OHIO  STATE  CONVENTION  OF  UNIVERSALIST  SUNDAY  SCHOOLS — Continued 


APPENDIX  II 


239 


4> 

3 

m 

d 

<o 

Vh 

H 


.  o 
£  id 


d 

&■ 


- 


.d 

g 

r3 

C/3 


3 

O 

H 


d 

o 

•  H 

0} 


<:  S 
ffi 


<D 

fa  a 

d  d 

.d 

a)^  u 

a  l|o- 
§«§ 


.s 

£ 

CO 

<u 


$.d 

13  w  2  2  § 

S  O  a  EaSa 


>> 

0) 

> 

S-H 


bo 

a 

^  & 
oiS 
a  p 

OT  H 
£  8 
.CO 

o 


J-l 

a3 

o  >, 

<dhJ‘” 

^  a> 

W  +J 

Jh  ^ 


. 

o 

£ 

rd 

in 

<■ 

w 

d 

in 


. 

a> 

dO 

. 

O 

o 

CO 

& 


d 

o 

in 

£ 


dS 

4-3 

. 

o 

£  u 
J3  £ 

<  g 

«s 


’T) 
d 

i3 

,  "o 


ai 

*£ 


B 

%  +  £ 


>> 

<D 

>»§ 

CD  O 

^Q: 

dd 

c3  aj 

SS 


el 

<D 

■§  = 
/-N 

«  y 

/-v  ^ 

P  aJ 

v— I 

<co 


P4 

d 

Jj 


<L> 

d 

OJ 

.d 

o 


d  -  d 
-u  . 


<D 

> 


> 
T  *  ■! 

< 


4-3 

d 

<D 

"d 

•  H 

t/o 

a> 

. 

0< 

i 

<u 

o 

> 


d 

o 

w 


. 

a; 

>> 

£ 

d 

CO 


w 
o 
o 

d 

d  _ 

Pd  C  S 


d 

£ 

o 

. 

PQ 


4-3 

3 

O 

. 

O 


d 

£s 

o 

Ch 

CQ 


W 


<  w*< 


!  ■  i  d 

Cd  o 

Od  rn 
o  rd 

d  § 

to 


u> 

CJ 

d 

o 

43 

CO 


. 

a> 


in 

-M 
. 
4) 
to  n 

do 


S  Se; 


l! 

s 


:  OK| 


O 

ffi 


w 

d 

o 

a 


CO 


d 

cj 

CO 


QH 


<3W 


4-3 

d 

o 

•  H 

10 

o 

. 

Ph 


CO 


d 

•  H 

o:  - 

w 

o 


d3  4-3 

-d  s 
5  ^ 
coo 

PH 

HO 


w 

. 

N 

3 

w  w 
d  <u  d 

0) 

in 

4) 

T3 

d 

d 

in  St 

>r-l 

o  d  o 

a  d  a 

d 

d 

a 

o 

d 

co¬ 

s  s 

*~3- 

a  a  a- 

- 

:  £~ 

co  O  co " 

W: 

d'* 

o 

i 

hS 

d 

•  »-d 

d  d  d 
ddd 

d 

< 

<u 

4-3 

d 

Q 


os  o  n  a  <o  d-  ifiO  r^oo  o^o  «  n  to^  io^o  r^-oo  o  o  >-  n 

CsOOOOOCOOOO'-i,-l'-l>-'>-l,-',-|>-l,-l'-'Mt)0) 
00  O'  O'  Os  O'  Os  O'  OsO'O'O'O'O'O'OsO'O'Os  O'  O'  O'  O'  O'  Os 


i8go 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1918 

1919 

1920 

1921 

1922 


APPENDICES 


OHIO  YOUNG  PEOPLE’S  CHRISTIAN  UNION 


President 

Corresponding 

Secretary 

Recording 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

C.  M.  McLaughlin 

4  « 

4  1 

Fannie  Austin 

H.  B.  Briggs 

4  4 

Edna  Smith 
Alberta  D.  Garber 

4  4 

J.  D.  Streeper 

4  4 

4  4 

Perry  D.  Gath 

4  4 

Clara  Bissel 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

Alberta  D.  Garber 
Carl  F.  Henry 

4  4 

Mary  Andrews 

4  4 

4  4 

Clara  Bissell 
Bertha  John 

4  4 

E.  M.  Waller 

4  4 

4  4 

U.  S.  Milburn 

E.  M.  Waller 

4  4 

Laura  Green 

4  4 

4  4 

Laura  Green 

4  4 

Laura  Green 

Aro  D.  Sanders 
«  « 

4  4 

Mae  E.  Henry 

E.  Pearl  Littell 
Laura  Green 

Aro  D.  Sanders 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

Geo.  H.  Ashworth 
Aro  D.  Sanders 
Hattie  Burke 
Mrs.  John  Evans 

4  4 

4  1 

S.  G.  Ayers 
Stanley  Smith 
Almeda  Philips 

4  4 

Ruby  H.  Severance 
Mrs.  W.  K.  Sawyer 
Stanley  C.  Stall 

4  4 

4  4 

Elizabeth  Bacon 
Almeda  Philips 
Bessie  Lowe 

Ruby  H.  Severance 
Gay  Smith 

4  4 

Mabel  Carey 

4  4 

4  4 

Elizabeth  Bacon 
Almeda  Philips 
Bessie  Lowe 

Ruby  H.  Severance 
Gay  Smith 

4  4 

Mabel  Carey 

4  4 

4  4 

Bessie  Lowe 

4  4 

Volney  F.  Trout 

4  4 

Hollie  Kimmell 
Violet  Mortimer 
Marie  Kellerman 

4  4 

4  4 

Carl  M.  Senn 

«  4 

4  1 

Carl  M.  Senn 
Harriet  Druley 

4  4 

4  4 

Carl  M.  Senn 
Harriet  Druley 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

Jessie  Gravell 

4  4 

J.  W.  Grimmer 

W.  J.  Metz 

George  H.  Welch 

4  4 

A.  A.  Meade 

Robt.  Rice 

Ruth  Owens 

4  4 

Ruth  Bidwell 

4  4 

4  4 

Elizabeth  Etz 

4  4 

Grace  Nash 

4  4 

Ruth  Bidwell 

4  4 

4  4 

Elizabeth  Etz 

4  4 

Grace  Nash 

4  4 

Grace  Dowler 
Ruth  Bidwell 

A.  A.  Meade 
Helen  Senn 

4  4 

4  4 

1844 

1845 

1846 

1847 

1848 

1849 

1850 

1851 

1852 

1853 

1865 

1868 

1873 

1877 

1880 

1889 

1890 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1918 

19x9 

1920 

1921 

1922 


APPENDIX  III 


THE  BALLOU  ASSOCIATION 


Place 

Moderator 

Clerk 

J.  W.  Cotton 

Jesse  Beals 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

Wm.  Eppert 

H.  R.  Derrough 

4  4 

C.  S.  Laycock 

N.  A.  Day 

N.  A.  Day 

W.  R.  McGill 

E.  D.  Philips 

Blanchester 

Cuba 

Milford 

J.  D.  Moon 

Jennie  M.  Brown 

Mt.  Carmel 

John  R.  Moon 

N.  A.  Day 

Blanchester 

R.  N.  John 

Jennie  M.  Brown 

Blanchester 

4  » 

4  4 

Cuba 

«  « 

4  4 

Jeffersonville 

4  4 

4  4 

Newtown 

E.  O.  Smith 

4  4 

Farmers  Station 

4  4 

4  4 

Mt.  Carmel 

Milford 

Mrs.  Walter  Scott 

Sallie  Cast 

Blanchester 

E.  D.  Smith 

Jennie  M.  Uible 

Cuba 

4  4 

4  4 

Farmers  Station 

4  4 

4  4 

Mt.  Carmel 

J.  R.  Clevenger 

4  4 

Milford 

J.  W.  West 

4  4 

Blanchester 

Harvey  Dunham 

4  4 

Cuba 

4  4 

4  4 

Farmers  Station 

4  4 

4  4 

Mt.  Carmel 

4  4 

4  4 

Milford 

4  4 

4  4 

Blanchester 

4  4 

4  4 

Cuba 

4  4 

4  4 

Mt.  Carmel 

4  4 

4  4 

Farmers  Station 

4  4 

4  4 

Milford 

4  4 

4  4 

Blanchester 

4  4 

4  4 

Cuba 

4  4 

4  4 

Farmers  Station 

4  4 

Jennie  M.  Brown 

241 


1830 

1831 

1832 

1835 

1836 

1837 

1838 

1839 

1840 

1841 

1842 

1843 

1844 

1845 

1846 

1847 

1848 

1849 

1850 

1851 

1852 

1865 

1867 

1868 

1877 

1880 

1890 

1892 

1893 

1894 

189s 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 


APPENDICES 


THE  CENTRAL  ASSOCIATION 


Place 


ohn  Hunter’s,  Franklin 
County 
Worthington 
'Jear  Worthington 

Jnion  County 
Doncord 
Springfield 
>V  orthington 
3rother  Petty’s, 
Delaware  County 
[ersey 


lersey 


Reynoldsburg 


Newway 


Caledonia 

Zanesville 

Flint 

Jersey 

Mt.  Gilead 

Columbus 

Caledonia 

Zanesville 

Belleville 

Jersey 

Newway 

Reynoldsburg 

Flint 

Columbus 

Summit 

Jersey 

Flint 

Columbus 

Summit 

Jersey 

Flint 

Columbus 

Summit 

Jersey 

Columbus 

Summit 


T.  Strong 
Israel  Bigelow 

C.  Rogers 

W.  Jolly 


Moderator 


N.  B.  Johnson 
N.  Mason 


O.  H.  Gurney 

4  « 

G.  W.  Ault 

4  4 

M.  A.  Bortle 

4  • 

T.  W.  McNaughton 

4  4 

A.  J.  Merrill 


A.  M.  Beem 
E.  F.  Arras 


Chapin  Beem 
John  Beem 
A.  M.  Beem 
James  Lazell 


Clerk 


W.  Jolly 


W.  Conrad 


W.  Emmett 
C.  Cook 

C.  Cook 

4  4 

D.  Biddlecome 
G.  Flanders 

4  4 

T.  Eaton 


N.  Doolittle 
G.  Flanders 
N.  Doolittle 
J.  Cutler 
N.  Doolittle 

W.  B.  Woodbury 

W.  B.  Woodbury 

Frank  Evans 
C.  V.  N.  Smith 

Rose  Belknap 

4  4 

A.  J.  Merrill 

4  4 

E.  E.  Hipsher 

4  4 

David  McCandish 


David  McCandish 


John  Beem 
David  McCandish 

4  4 

Mrs.  Anna  Beem 

Safety  Clouse 
Helen  Gardner 
Isabel  Dixon 
Jessie  Gravel 


APPENDIX  III 


243 


THE  CENTRAL  ASSOCIATION — Continued 


Date 

Place 

Moderator 

Clerk 

1917 

1918 

1919 

1920 

1921 

1922 

Plain  City 

Westville 

Springfield 

Clara  McGrew 

4  4 

THE  GALLIA  ASSOCIATION 


1847 

Uriah  Evans 

1848 

4  ( 

1948 

Wilkesville 

A.  W.  Tubbs 

1850 

Gallipolis 

4  4 

1851 

Rutland 

David  Strong 

Augustus  Strong 

1852 

. . 

C.  L.  Menager 

4  4 

18^3 

1865 

R.  Breare 

T  87  7 

R.  Breare 

1877 

L.  Waterman 

1880 

L.  Waterman 

THE  HURON  ASSOCIATION 


Berlin 

Tiffin 

M.  Kellogg 

4  4 

M.  Kellogg 

4  4 

4  4 

Republic 

4  4 

Republic 

4  4 

G.  B.  Brown 

4  4 

Republic 

B.  F.  Gibbs 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

t  •  1  ••  • 

...............a 

H.  Bromley 

H.  Bromley 

H.  Bromley 

H.  Bromley 

A.  L.  Rice 

Attica 

Norwalk 

1840 

1841 

1842 

1844 

1845 

1846 

1847 

1848 

1849 

1850 

1851 

1852 

1853 

1865 

1868 

1873 

1877 

1880 

1892 

1893 


244 


APPENDICES 


THE  HURON  ASSOCIATION — Continued 


Date 

Place 

Moderator 

Clerk 

1894 

Havana 

H.  L.  Canfield 

F.  G.  Steigmeyer 

1895 

Margaretta 

4  * 

Laura  Green 

1896 

Peru 

4  t 

•  4 

1897 

Attica 

4  4 

4  4 

1898 

1899 

1900 

Norwalk 

Havana 

Peru 

A.  B.  Sanders 

Alice  Graves 

1901 

Attica 

J.  R.  Carpenter 

1  4 

Bess  Lowe 

1902 

Norwalk 

Adah  Bechtel 

1903 

Havana 

N.  E.  Spicer 

4  4 

1904 

Peru 

J.  H.  Crawford 

4  t 

4  4 

1905 

Attica 

4  4 

1906 

Norwalk 

J.  P.  Owens 

Flora  Kellogg 

1907 

Havana 

Ralph  Orr 

Adah  Bechtel 

1908 

Margaretta 

Fred  H.  White 

4  4 

1909 

Peru 

Charlotte  Horr 

4  4 

1910 

Attica 

4  t 

4  4 

1911 

Norwalk 

t  t 

4  4 

1912 

Margaretta 

1  * 

4  4 

1913 

Peru 

Nellie  Hassler 

4  4 

1914 

Attica 

4  « 

«  «. 

1915 

Norwalk 

<  1 

4  4 

1916 

Peru 

Millie  Suhr 

4  4 

1917 

1918 

Norwalk 

Flora  Kellogg 

4  4 

1919 

1920 

Peru 

Norwalk 

A.  D.  Sanders 

Nellie  Hassler 

1921 

Attica 

A.  D.  Sanders 

1922 

Peru 

4  1 

Nellie  Hassler 

NORTHERN  OHIO  ASSOCIATION 


1821 

Palmyra 

Bigelow 

N.  B.  Johnson 

1822 

Shalersville 

1824 

Ravenna 

1825 

Cleveland 

1826 

Hambden 

NORTHWESTERN  ASSOCIATION 


1865 

1867 

1868 

J.  H.  Palmer 

E.  Dawson 

4  4 

Gorham 

1873 

1877 

t88o 

E.  Dawson 

E.  Dawson 

J.  F.  Rice 

1889 

1890 

•  •  •  • 

Lyons 

Bryan 

APPENDIX  III 


245 


NORTHWESTERN  ASSOCIATION — Continued 


Date 

Place 

Moderator 

Clerk 

1892 

1893 

1894 

Bryan 

Lyons 

No  session 

G.  W.  Hayward 

1895 

Stryker 

1896 

Lyons 

Martha  Moore 

4  4 

1897 

Lyons 

4  4 

4  4 

1898 

1899 

Toledo 

Martha  Moore 

G.  W.  Hayward 

1900 

Stryker 

4  4 

4  t 

1901 

Lyons 

*  i 

4  4 

1902 

Bryan 

4  4 

1903 

Stryker 

4  4 

Mrs.  C.  F.  Mignon 

1904 

Lyons 

Mrs.  Garver 

4  4 

1906 

Bryan 

Mrs.  C.  F.  Mignon 

Mrs.  J.  A.  Leavy 

1907 

1908 

Stryker 

Lyons 

E.  T.  Binns 

Martha  Moore 

1909 

Bryan 

J.  T.  Hester 

Mrs.  Leavy 

1910 

Stryker 

Ora  E.  Crout 

Lena  Ferguson 

1911 

Lyons 

M.  V.  Garver 

Tillie  Wright 

1912 

Bryan 

George  Wieland 

Carrie  Merry 

1914 

Lyons 

E.  T.  Binns 

M.  V.  Garver 

THE  MAUMEE  ASSOCIATION 


1846 

1847 

I.  George 

Perrysburg 

1848 

Perrysburg 

THE  MIAMI  ASSOCIATION 


183s 

Sharonville 

1836 

Milton 

1837 

Edwardsville 

1838 

Mason 

C.  M.  Liggett 

1839 

Montgomery 

Wm.  Eppert 

1840 

Oxford 

4  4 

1841 

Springboro 

E.  M.  Pingree 

1842 

Hamilton 

W.  H.  Baldwin 

1843 

I847 

J.  M.  Warwick 

1848 

Oxford 

Mahlon  Wright 

1849 

Hamilton 

E.  Singer 

4  4 

1850 

Mt.  Healthy 

Cyrus  Powers 

4  4 

1851 

Montgomery 

J.  M.  Warwick 

1852 

4  4 

1853 

4  4 

T865 

W.  S.  Bacon 

1868 

James  Bowyer 

246 


APPENDICES 


THE  MIAMI  ASSOCIATION — Continued 


Date 

Place 

Moderator 

Clerk 

1873 

R  T  Polk 

1877 

1880 

Levi  Risinger 

1891 

Montgomery 

1893 

Springboro 

1894 

Montgomery 

B.  F.  Thomas 

Adah  Warwick 

189s 

Mason 

W.  J.  Littell 

E.  Pearl  Littell 

1896 

Cincinnati 

4  4 

4  4 

1897 

Hamilton 

J.  E.  Morey 

•  1 

Olivia  Nelson 

1898 

Springboro 

4  4 

1899 

Eaton 

B.  F.  Thomas 

4  4 

1900 

Bunker  Hill 

4  « 

Jennie  Warwick 

1901 

Mason 

W.  J.  Littell 

4  4 

1902 

Cincinnati 

4  4 

4  4 

1903 

Cincinnati 

•  « 

4  4 

1904 

Hamilton 

1  4 

4  4 

1905 

Springboro 

4  4 

4  4 

1906 

Eaton 

4  4 

4  4 

1907 

Mason 

J.  M.  Wright 

4  4 

1908 

Camden 

4  4 

4  4 

1909 

Cincinnati 

Mrs.  Homer  Gard 

4  4 

1910 

Hamilton 

1911 

Springboro  (?) 

1912 

Springboro 

Chas.  Mossteller 

Jennie  Warwick 

1913 

Eaton 

4  4 

4  4 

19x4 

Mason 

4  4 

4  4 

1915 

Cincinnati 

Dr.  J.  M.  Wright 

Rowena  Wright 

1916 

Hamilton 

1917 

Eaton 

1918 

1919 

Springboro 

A.  Nash 

La  Verne  Wright 

1920 

Mason 

4  4 

4  4 

1921 

Cincinnati 

4  4 

4  4 

1922 

Eaton 

Stanley  Stall 

4  4 

1842 

1843 
1845 
1853 

1865 

1866 

1869 

1873 

1877 


MONTGOMERY  ASSOCIATION 


Bethel  township 

Casstown 

f 

Eldorado 

S.  Banfill 

C.  Hayden 
Geo.  Messenger 

W.  B.  Linnell 

H.  J.  Pettit 

J.  H.  Blackford 

J.  H.  Blackford 
George  Bacon 

I.  S.  Wenger 


APPENDIX  III 


247 


MONTGOMERY  ASSOCIATION — Continued 


Date 

Place 

Moderator 

Clerk 

1880 

I.  S.  Wenger 

1891 

J.  H.  Blackford 

I.  S.  Wenger 

1892 

Palestine 

4  « 

4  4 

1893 

Eldorado 

«  4 

*  *  \ 

1894 

Miami  City 

«  « 

*  *  \ 

1895 

Plattsville 

4  4 

4  * 

1896 

Palestine 

4  4 

4  4 

1897 

Greenville 

4  4 

4  4 

1898 

New  Madison 

4  4 

4  4 

1899 

Conover 

1900 

Eldorado 

1901 

Palestine 

P.  L.  Frazier 

Leonora  Blackford 

1902 

Eldorado 

4  4 

4  4 

1903 

Miami  City 

4  4 

4  4 

1904 

New  Paris 

4  4 

4  4 

1905 

Conover 

S.  L.  Miover 

Zella  Cady 

4  4 

1906 

Greenville 

P.  L.  Frazier 

1907 

New  Madison 

4  4 

4  4 

1908 

Palestine 

M.  A.  Brown 

Homer  Jeffries 

1909 

Eldorado 

4  4 

Hattie  Welbaum 

I9IO 

Dayton 

4  4 

4  4 

1911 

Greenville 

I.  S.  Wenger 

4  4 

1912 

New  Madison 

M.  A.  Brown 

4  4 

1913 

Eldorado 

1916 

Palestine 

1917 

New  Madison 

1918 

1919 

Eldorado 

L.  C.  Ankerman 

Hattie  Welbaum 

1920 

Palestine 

4  4 

4  4 

1921 

New  Madison 

4  4 

4  4 

1922 

Eldorado 

4  4 

4  4 

THE  MURRAY  ASSOCIATION 


183s 

1836 

1837 

1838 

1839 

1840 

1841 

1842 

1843 

1844 

1845 

1846 

1847 

1848 

1849 

1850 

1851 

1852 

1853 

1868 


Olmstead 

Ohio  City 

Huntington 

Sharon 

Huntington 

Jacob  Felter 

Oberlin 

Sharon 

Huntington 

A.  M.  Coe 

John  Mitchell 


J.  Whitney 
H.  P.  Sage 

4  4 
4  4 

S.  Hull 


H.  P.  Sage 

4  « 

D.  Tenny 

4  4 


J.  R.  Henry 
<  < 


H.  B.  Kelsey 


248 


APPENDICES 


THE  MURRAY  ASSOCIATION — Continued 


Date 

Place 

Moderator 

Clerk 

1873 

G.  W.  Crowell 

1877 

W.  P.  Burnell 

1880 

S.  T.  Ellis 

1891 

Olmstead 

1892 

Leroy 

1893 

Sharon  Center 

T.  J.  Briggs 

Dollie  Coe 

1894 

Cleveland 

H.  B.  Briggs 

4  4 

1895 

Huntington 

Mrs.  E.  S.  Bissell 

4  4 

1896 

Olmstead 

H.  0.  Beckley 

Damie  Henry 

1897 

Leroy 

4  4 

4  4 

1898 

Sharon  Center 

«  t 

4  4 

1899 

Cleveland 

1901 

North  Olmstead 

1902 

Leroy 

1903 

Sharon  Center 

E.  S.  Willson 

Leora  Hall 

1904 

Baker’s  Crossing 

1906 

Leroy 

1907 

Sharon  Center 

Dewitt  Rice 

Lua  Coe 

1908 

Huntington 

Thomas  Briggs 

4  4 

1909 

North  Olmstead 

•  • 

Lepha  Roland 

1910 

Leroy 

4  4 

Gertrude  Rowland 

1912 

Huntington 

1913 

North  Olmstead 

Sidney  Reynolds 

Stella  Carpenter 

1916 

North  Olmstead 

1917 

Leroy 

1918 

1919 

1920 

Leroy 

1921 

Huntington 

Allie  Tuttle 

F.  Daugherty 

1922 

THE  RICHLAND  ASSOCIATION 


1822 

Frederickstown 

1830 

Henry  Parcel’s 

C.  Rogers 

J.  Kidwell 

1832 

1833 

1834 

1835 

1836 

1837 

1838 

1839 

1840 

1841 

Lexington 

Frederickstown 

Peru 

Lexington 

Frederickstown 

Peru 

Lexington 

Frederickstown 

Berlin 

M.  Pond 

F.  H.  Johnson 

C.  Keith 

4  4 

4  1 

1843 

1844 

D.  Biddlecome 

J.  R.  Johnson 

APPENDIX  III 


249 


THE  RICHLAND  ASSOCIATION — Continuen 


Date 

Place 

Moderator 

Clerk 

1845 

J.  R.  Johnston 

1846 

Curtis  Allen 

1847 

Belleville 

N.  B.  Johnson 

E.  R.  Wood 

1851 

Samuel  Rockwell 

1852 

J.  P.  Beach 

i  4 

1853 

1865 

John  Harbottle 

1868 

W.  L.  Garber 

THE  SAWYER  ASSOCIATION 

190X 

Mt.  Gilead 

G.  W.  Ault 

Daniel  G.  Dickson 

1902 

Caledonia 

0.  H.  Gurney 

4  4 

1903 

Belleville 

S.  F.  Ottinger 

4  4 

1904 

Mansfield 

0.  H.  Gurney 

i  4 

1905 

Mt.  Gilead 

0.  N.  Lindsey 

<  4 

iqo6 

Caledonia 

1907 

F.  M.  Wieland 

Helen  Ramey 

1908 

Mt.  Gilead 

G.  W.  Ault 

Clara  Young 

1909 

Caledonia 

0.  N.  Lindsey 

Anna  Young 

1910 

Marion 

Carl  Garber 

Mary  Darbin 

4  4 

1911 

Belleville 

4  4 

1912 

Mt.  Gilead 

W.  A.  Earley 

Maggie  Lafferty 

1913 

Caledonia 

C.  A.  Francis 

Grace  Lindsey 

1916 

Mt.  Gilead 

1917 

Caledonia 

1922 

Belleville 

I.  W.  Swingle 

Florence  Wieland 

THE  SCIOTO  ASSOCIATION 


1844 

1845 

1846 

1847 

1848 

1849 

1850 

1851 

1852 

1853 

1865 

A.  W.  Bruce 

C.  S.  Webber 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

Olive  Branch 

Leesburg 

Adams  County 

B.  W.  Sprague 

4  4 

4  1 

H.  Hiatt 

G.  Ladd 

4  4 

Jacob  Tener 

Jacob  Tener 

W.  F.  Crispin 

S.  A.  Turner 

1868 

1877 

1880 

250 


APPENDICES 


THE  SCIOTO  ASSOCIATION — Continued 


Date 

Place 

Moderator 

Clerk 

1894 

Olive  Branch 

A.  F.  Williams 

1896 

Olive  Branch 

1900 

Olive  Branch 

1901 

Olive  Branch 

S.  A.  Turner 

Inez  Williams 

1902 

Olive  Branch 

4  4 

1  4 

1903 

Centerfield 

1904 

Olive  Branch 

S.  A.  Turner 

Inez  Williams 

1905 

Centerfield 

1  4 

•  4 

1908 

Olive  Branch 

S.  A.  Turner 

Inez  Rhoades 

1910 

Olive  Branch 

1913 

Olive  Branch 

1915 

Olive  Branch 

• 

A.  A.  Tener 

Inez  Rhoades 

1920 

Olive  Branch 

Dora  Butler 

1921 

Olive  Branch 

THE  WASHINGTON  ASSOCIATION 


18  33 

Belpre 

1835 

1836 

1837 

1838 

1839 

1840 

1841 

1842 

1843 

1844 

1845 

1846 

1847 

1848 

1849 

1850 

1851 

1852 

1853 

1865 

1868 

•  •  •  • 

1873 

1877 

1880 

1890 

Belpre 

Athens 

McConnelsville 

Watertown 

Belpre 

Watertown 

T.  Strong 

Joel  Tuttle 

J.  J.  Hollister 

1  4 

4  4 

4  4 

John  Clark 

4  4 

4  4 

Marietta 

•  < 

4  4 

4  4 

H.  E.  Vincent 

Marietta 

Hiel  Dinsmore 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

4  4 

A.  L.  Curtis 

A.  L.  Curtis 

I.  W.  Putnam 

I.  B.  Kinkhead 

T.  C.  Druley 

Newbury 

APPENDIX  III 


251 


THE  WASHINGTON  ASSOCIATION — Continued 


Date 

Place 

Moderator 

Clerk 

1893 

Watertown 

A.  L.  Curtis 

Estella  Shull 

1894 

Lower  Salem 

4  4 

J.  R.  Cole 

1895 

Belpre 

<  4 

1896 

Frost 

4  4 

^  4  \ 

1897 

Little  Hocking 

4  4 

*  ‘  N. 

1898 

Vincent 

4  4 

1899 

Lower  Salem 

4  4 

4  4 

1900 

Watertown 

4  4 

4  4 

1901 

Me  Connells  ville 

4  4 

4  4 

1902 

Rockland 

4  4 

4  4 

1903 

Frost 

4  4 

4  4 

1904 

Little  Hocking 

4  4 

4  4 

1905 

Lower  Salem 

Roscoe  Walcott 

Elizabeth  Curtis 

1906 

Me  Connells  ville 

4  4 

Ella  Manley 

1907 

Watertown 

4  4 

Lena  Brewster 

1908 

Little  Hocking 

1909 

Lower  Salem 

W.  W.  Watson 

Lena  Brewster 

1910 

Belpre 

C.  W.  Plumley 

Lucy  Seeley 

1911 

McConnellsville 

J.  H.  Seeley 

Lena  Simpson 

1912 

Watertwon 

1913 

Rockland 

W.  W.  Watson 

Lena  Simpson 

1914 

Little  Hocking 

1915 

Watertown 

1916 

Rockland 

1917 

Frost 

1920 

Rockland 

1921 

Frost 

THE  WESTERN  RESERVE  ASSOCIATION 


1832 

Newbury 

John  Boyer 

Nahum  Rice 

1832 

Olmstead 

Noble  Hotchkiss 

4  4 

1833 

Parkman 

John  Boyer 

4  4 

1834 

Olmstead 

Nathan  Wadsworth 

4  4 

1835 

Geneva 

John  M.  Baldwin 

4  4 

183S 

Centreville 

Edson  Beals 

D.  T.  Brun 

1836 

1839 

1840 

Windsor 

Chard  on 

Centreville 

Edson  Beals 

E.  R.  Crocker 

1841 

Parkman 

Lewis  C.  Todd 

Eusebius  Hoag 

1842 

Brimfield 

Solomon  Hawley 

George  Messenger 

1843 

Ravenna 

N.  H.  Ripley 

4  4 

1844 

Parkman 

Lucius  Frisby 

4  4 

1845 

Akron 

L.  C.  Todd 

4  4 

1846 

Brimfield 

Lucius  Frisby 

4  4 

1847 

Newbury 

Edson  Beals 

4  4 

S.  P.  Carlton 

1848 

Mesopotamia 

Brimfield 

Lucius  Frisby 

1849 

George  Messenger 

4  4 

1850 

Parkman 

Edson  Beals 

4  4 

1851 

Chardon 

4  4 

4  4 

1852 

Mesopotamia 

George  Messenger 

4  4 

1854 

1855 

Little  Mountain 

Andover 

Ebenezer  Rawson 

S.  P.  Carlton 

1856 

Willoughby 

Asa  Marble 

4  4 

252 


APPENDICES 


THE  WESTERN  RESERVE  ASSOCIATION — Continued 


Date 

Place 

Moderator 

Clerk 

1857 

N  ewbury 

James  Allen 

S.  P.  Carlton 

1858 

Mesopotamia 

C.  L.  Shipman 

4  4 

1859 

Brimfield 

George  Messenger 

S.  P.  Merrifield 

i860 

Willoughby 

C.  L.  Shipman 

1  4 

4  4 

1861 

Andover 

4  4 

1862 

Brimfield 

Andrew  Willson 

S.  P.  Carlton 

1863 

Willoughby 

D.  B.  Goodrich 

Andrew  'Willson 

1864 

Little  Mountain 

4  4 

4  « 

1865 

Newbury 

A.  M.  Sherman 

4  4 

1866 

Kent 

4  4 

4  4 

1867 

Akron 

Avery  Spicer 

4  4 

1868 

Kent 

0.  F.  Haymaker 

4  4 

1869 

W  indsor 

Ezra  Rowdon 

4  4 

1870 

Garrettville 

0.  F.  Haymaker 

4  4 

1871 

Little  Mountain 

4  4 

4  4 

1872 

Brimfield 

•  4 

4  4 

1873 

Kent 

A.  M.  Sherman 

4  4 

1874 

Brimfield 

D.  C.  Tomlinson 

4  4 

1875 

Willoughby 

1876 

Ravenna 

1877 

Bainbridge 

1878 

Kent 

Frank  Ford  (Force) 

1879 

Windsor 

4  4 

1880 

Willoughby 

Tyler  Wing 

1881 

Ravenna 

1882 

Kent 

0.  F.  Haymaker 

4  » 

1883 

Brimfield 

1S84 

Ravenna 

0.  F.  Haymaker 

1885 

Kent 

A.  M.  Sherman 

1886 

Brimfield 

4  4 

18S7 

Akron 

0.  F.  Haymaker 

1888 

Ravenna 

W.  D.  Shipman 

1889 

Kent 

Martha  A.  Bortle 

1890 

Brimfield 

L.  A.  Olin 

1891 

Ravenna 

Dallas  Moulton 

1892 

Akron 

A.  M.  Sherman 

1803 

Kent 

G.  G.  Foster 

1894 

Brimfield 

E.  M.  Waller 

1895 

Ravenna 

W.  D.  Shipman 

1896 

Akron 

A.  M.  Sherman 

1897 

Kent 

Dallas  Moulton 

1S98 

Brimfield 

Albert  D.  Olin 

1899 

Ravenna 

I.  A.  Priest 

1900 

Akron 

0.  F.  Haymaker 

4  4 

1901 

Kent 

1902 

Brimfield 

A.  I.  Spanton 

1903 

Ravenna 

4  4 

1904 

Akron 

0.  F.  Haymaker 

1905 

Kent 

4  * 

1906 

Brimfield 

1907 

Ravenna 

A.  B.  Church 

1908 

Akron 

John  R.  Smith 

1909 

Kent 

0.  E.  Crooker 

Cleveland 

H.  M.  Fowler 

1 9 1 1 

Brimfield 

4  4 

E.  E.  Carrier 

1912 

Akron 

A.  I.  Spanton 

v  , . 

1913 

Kent 

j  44 

\ 

APPENDIX  III 


253 


THE  WESTERN  UNION  ASSOCIATION 


Date 

Place 

Moderator 

Clerk 

1829 

1830 

1831 

1832 

1833 

Cincinnati 

Centre  ville 

Cincinnati 

Mt.  Healthy- 
West  Chester 

Jacob  Felter 

A.  H.  Longley 

1836 

1836 

1837 

Philomath,  Ind. 
Miamisburg 

Philomath 

Gird 

C.  Rogers 

A.  Davis 

M.  C.  Wisner 

WINCHESTER  ASSOCIATION 


254  APPENDICES 

4 


u 

© 

- 

d 

m 

$ 

u. 

H 


u 

0) 

O 


© 


5  «-• 

O  h  © 

p  c  > 

ja>  cs  ^ 

TO  O.S  4J  JS 

© 

3 

4_5 

d 

£  O 

P  4-> 

E  5 

w 

d 

aS 

M 

aS 

• 

aS 

d  o 

O'z 

w 

pq  c  rt>- 

«  n 

- 

a- 

m 

© 

£ 

Qh^UO 

in 
aS 
*— > 

d 

© 

W 

d 

d 

d 

o 

>>5  >>  2? 

o 

-(-> 

© 

T3  "£  TO 
d  o  d  J2 

4-> 

d 

Tl 
aS  _ 

aS  ^  as  > 

t-i 

aS  - 

o- 

o^q|- 

o- 

d 

«  .m  w 

d 

c/5 

•>  •  o 

i— i  !>■  i— ( t— > 

c/5 

0) 

4-J 

03 


Q 


lovo  r^oo  ovo  w  n  fo^j- ir>\c  r^oo  o  o  >-i  ^  ^ io^d 

Th'trj-'tTtrJ-rJ-^tmiOiOiDiCiDiDiOiO  lOv£>  VO  vO  O  \0  vO 
ooooooooooaooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 


WINCHESTER  ASSOCIATION — Continued 


APPENDIX  III 


255 


i-i 

05 

U 

d 

tn 

a 

<u 

U 


2 

’d 

d 

n  ^ 

Ui 

aS 

Pd 

45 

aS 

rd 

d 

05 

dS 

d 

o 

h-5 

d 

^  8  « 

Up  d  >, 

O  c3  >r^ 

,35  Ord  c-d 

W  .p^o  .: 

rd 

d  od  d  a 

£MS< 

< 

d 

rd 

J§  ^ 

«Q^g 

o  . 

• — >>— ■> 

• 

> 

o 

*— > 

H  <t 

uSdE 

u 

<u 

O 


d 

bo  ^ 


d 

o 

4-> 

Xfi 

a 

s 

a: 

W 

o5 

O 

r£ 

H 


u 

4> 

u> 

*q3 

<+-i 

d 

4> 

rd 

03 

<J 

»-3 

« 

O 


35 

a 

o 


£ 

o 

fc 

.  .  aj , 

Sq 


d 

;d 

bo  35 

d  3 
do 
u3  d 

^rd 
U 


35 

3 

o 

d 

rd 

u 


£ 


aS 

U 

O 


COCO 


O  Pd  Pd 


-U 

d 

0) 

*d 

• 

05 

05 

U 

Pd 

I 

45 

O 


>. 

45 

r— < 

•  r-H 

CO 

d 

4) 

U 

as 

£ 


rd 

M 

d 

a3 


4) 


05 

U 


"d  o 

"05  35  S  b.S  as 

«w°Esi! 

fe  ^ 


>» 

£  d  . 

£  d  j? 

C0£  a 

QgW 


d  05 
rd  aj 

£33 

p^d 


U» 

d 

45 

’d 

•  H 

05 

05 

Ui 

Pd 


U 

45  <-. 

w>  5 

d  2 

<25  o 

05  rd 
05  Ui 
35  flj. 

SO’ 

Oco 


d 

o 

-u» 

-u> 

d 

Q: 

ffi 

d 


rd 

bo 

d 

aS 

u3 

05 


Ptf 

p^ 


d 

o 

05 

V  >> 

b  U  35 
S  35  73 
rd  -  V  d 

a  -  *b  35 

S  m®: 

o 


d 

o 

05 

*d 

Ui 

a3 


>, 

05 


rd 

bO 

d 

aS 

■J 

a 


*  6 
>,03  d 
05  ^  rd 

2-IwqS 

£SS 


u 

05 

d 

o 

-U 

CO 


d 

o 


i  co  i 


05 

C5 

03 

S 


3£ 

35  .d 


td  n 

b/)v-/ 
d 


d 

d 'd 
d 


^TJ 
o  ^ 

O  35  .d 


^  C5 


-•ao 


o  .d 


>, 

-u> 


05 


05 


^  d  d^ 

o.S.S  o 

o  £  03  .  o 


COPdJ{>COPd|>i-JPdt> 


end 
o  w  > 
-d  d 

a* *-«  C/5 

a3  a> 


.d 

8.13 

«U 

03 'o  S 
05  O  'aS 


05 

> 

O 

Ui 

o 

05 

05 

U 
05 
> 
d 
o 


05 


rd 

o 

o 


r  os 
to  o 

05  O 


bfi 

d 

*  H 

<D 

§| 

o  o 


-8 


C/5 


SO 


d 

■S  O 
aS  O 


3*05 
d  <d 
>  bfi 
£  d  nd 

8*6  g 


d 

H 

aS 


fi&Eo&lifcjEppfi  CO  3  S 


05 

-u> 

o3 

Q 


CO  O'  O  w  P|  o  »OvO  00 
vO'd 

cooooooooooooooooooo 


rD  rh  lOO  t^»00  O'  O  H  fi  fO  Tt  i OO 
C300O00COQ0O00O  O' O' O'  O'  OM?>  O' 

oocooooooooooooooooooooooooo 


WINCHESTER  ASSOCIATION — Continued 


256 


APPENDICES 


u> 

<u 

d 

co 

a3 

<u 


<u 

X 
o 
d 
Xi 
l  - 

<- 

a3 

Ih 

£ 


s 

oS 

a 

d 

CL,  -  - 

aS 

d 

3 

a 


>> 

O) 

CO 

d 

d 


-  < 


0) 
b 

2  cu  " 
O  oJ 

22 


CO 

co 

O 

o 

>> 


a 

aS 

d 

< 


X 

u. 

<u 

*  < 

CJ 


<u 

3 

o 

3 

X 

Ih  - 

<* 

£ 

o 


s 

aJ 

d 

4-> 

3 

a~ 

x~ 

as 

d 

rH 

3 

a 


>> 

<u 

CO 

d 

d 

•  H  > 

•J  oS 
x  b 

I-I  c; 
O  oS 

£  2 


m 

in 

2 

o 


a 

0$ 

d 

< 


-M 

d 

<u 

d 

•  H 

co 

<u 

Ih 

CU 

I 

cu 

o 


a  £ 
o  fe 

co  g 

d  ° 

S3S 

■s  «■ 

X  +-> 

a  <u 

•  H 

d  b 

X  a, 

£a 


>, 

3 

c3 

2: 

co 

b 

oS 


oS 

X 

£ 

a 

:  cu 


x 

to 

d 

0$ 

X 

o 


X  ^ 

p 


d 

•x 

x 

M 

d 

aS 

X. 
o  - 


ao> 


d  • 


d 

6id 
os  d. 

X 

£  S 

d  X  x 

m  «x 
2  £ 
CO 


CD  i 


ta! 


oS 


2xx 


<U 

lx 

o 

o 

2 

oj 

Ih 

aj 

a 


+-> 

d 

CD 

d 

•  rH 

m 

<U 

Ih 

a 


<u 

> 

o 

H 

M 

(U 


d 

'o  °' 
dU' 

zd 

ao 


Ih 

(U 

d 


co 

o3 

a 

d  - 

X’ 


2a 

HCj 


0$ 

X 

£ 

tc  . 

03  CL 

Ih  ^ 

£■§ 

•  d 
co  X 

Ih  3 

2ad 


v-  .x< 

•  »h  rX 

2  ^ 
K  a  biO 

Sf  d 

§  3 

d  ° 


CO 

oS 
a 
d , 


d 

o 

co 

d 

•H 

X 

o 

a 


a'fe^«i 


hOH 


<U 

O 

03 

r— H 

a 


dX 

2^  8 
^  frl  x> 

’> 

to -So 

“  i-° 


>>2 

X  2  <U  8  X  <U 
d  n  x  x  -m 

o  z,  > 
d  d  x  c  o 

jH  ■  fH  CO  *H  y 


(U 


<u 


03  <U 


b  ° 
CL 


nx  d 
w  w  o 
d  d  d 

«'R§ 


^  co  ^  xa£  co  ^  a  co  x  Q  ^  a  co  ^  ^  a  co  ^ 


3  >*2 

o  X  <u 

dd^ndd 

C  c  4J 

rH  •  H  C/3 

aJ  b  ^ 


<U 


o  > 

+J  +J 

>>  y? 

03  « 


d 

o 

o 


■u  >-2 
o  X  <u . 
■p  r  x  d 

d^ 

o.S.S^ 

O  03  b  ° 


h->  2  *a; 

(JXX 
^  >  M 
d  -Jj  d 
aS  b 
a^co 


<u 

+-> 

ctf 

Q 


1^.00  OcO  H  PI  IOX  f^oo  h  pi  tO't  IOX  N  •  N 

OXXOOOOOOOOOO««”-H-«^1-I1-1  •  h  pi  pi 

000000  O'ONO'O'O'O'O'O'O'O'O'OVO'O'O'O'O'O'  ‘O  O'  O' 


APPENDIX  IV 


A  PARTIAL  LIST  OF  THE  DEBATES  HELD  IN  OHIO  UPON  THE 

SUBJECT  OF  UNIVERSALISM 


Date 

Place 

Universalist 

Opponent 

Denomination 
of  Opponent 

1827 

Franklinton 

A  Rains 

Rev.  Shaw 

Methodist 

1830 

Leesburg 

J.  Kidwell 

Dr.  Quinn 

Methodist 

1831 

Cincinnati 

J.  Kidwell 

D.  Fisher 

Methodist 

1S35 

Springfield 

A.  A.  Davis 

Dr.  Samuel  Robinson 

Presbyterian 

1835 

Frederickstown 

A.  A.  Davis 

Rev.  H.  0.  Sheldon 

1S35 

Springfield 

J.  Whitney 

Rev.  Lucas 

Methodist 

1835 

Hamilton 

R.  Smith 

Rev.  S.  A.  Lathe 

Methodist 

183s 

Oxford 

R.  Smith 

J.  A.  Waterman 

1835 

Wilmington 

G.  Rogers 

Rev.  Lucas 

Methodist 

1S38 

Akron 

Loring 

Rev.  Baldwin 

Presbyterian 

1838 

Goshen 

J.  Gurley 

Rev.  Lucas 

Methodist 

1838 

Waterton 

W.  Jolly 

Roberts 

Presybterian 

1840 

Montgomery 

H.  Gifford 

Moody 

Methodist 

1840 

Springfield 

G.  Messenger 

H.  D.  Mason 

Baptist 

1841 

Montgomery 

E.  Pingree 

Rev.  J .  B.  W alker 

Presbyterian 

1842 

Huron  County 

S.  Hull 

Rev.  Pierce 

Methodist 

1842 

Liverpool 

S.  Hull 

Rev.  Ward 

Methodist 

1842 

Amherst 

S.  Hull 

Rev.  Eells 

Presbyterian 

1S42 

Washington 

C.  Webber 

Methodist 

1842 

Zanesville 

G.  Flanders 

Rev.  Kellog 

Methodist 

1842 

Dayton 

Loring 

Rev.  A.  B.  Green 

Christian 

1842 

Mayville 

Darrow 

Brown 

Christian 

1842 

Higgensport 

Gilmer 

Rev.  M.  Gardner 

New  Light 

1843 

(?) 

E.  Pingree 

David  Fisher 

Methodist 

1845 

Cincinnati 

E.  Pingree 

Rev.  N.  L.  Rice 

Presbyterian 

1845 

Laporte 

N.  Doolittle 

Rev.  John  H.  Power 

Methodist 

1846 

Benton 

J.  M.  Brunson 

Rice 

Christian 

1847 

Sommers  ville 

C.  Craven 

B.  Franklin 

Christian 

1851 

Athens  County 

B.  Peters 

L.  M.  Harvey 

1858 

Cadiz 

W.  Emmett, 

Rev.  M.  M.  Ready, 

Associate  Re- 

D.  Bacon 

Paterson 

formed 

1858 

Amitv 

S.  Binns 

Rev.  David  Mitchell 

Christian 

1858 

Marietta 

J.  McMaster 

Rev.  M.  R.  Miller 

Presbyterian 

1858 

Lewisburg 

W.  Emmett 

Rev.  Barnet 

Lutheran 

1877 

Mansfield 

J.  MacLean 

D.  B.  Turner 

257 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 


_  / 

No  complete  collection  of  Universalist  periodicals 

is  available  for  such  studies  as  this.  The  author  has 

consulted  the  material  available  at  Lombard  and  St. 

Lawrence  Universities,  at  the  Indiana  State  Library 

at  Indianapolis,  and  at  the  Ohio  State  Historical 

Librarv  at  Columbus.  He  has  also  collected  consider- 
* 

able  material  that  has  been  deposited  with  the  two 
latter  libraries,  both  of  which  will  welcome  further 
additions.  Among  the  collected  volumes  are  the  com¬ 
plete  minutes  of  the  Convention  and  partial  minutes 
of  other  organizations. 

A  study  of  Universalism  east  of  Ohio  will  be  found 
in  “Universalism  in  America”  by  Richard  Eddy.  The 
second  volume  contains  a  valuable  bibliography,  includ¬ 
ing  many  Ohio  publications. 

1.  Lois  K.  Matthews.  The  Expansion  of  New  England. 

Chap.  VI. 

2.  Matthews.  Op.  cit.  Chap.  VII. 

Robert  E.  Chaddock.  Ohio  Before  1850.  Chap.  II. 
Chas.  E.  Slocum.  The  Ohio  Country.  P.  162. 

261 


262 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 


3.  Archer  B.  Hurlburt.  The  Ohio  River.  Chap.  IX. 

4.  Chaddock.  Op.  cit.  P.  iii.  ff. 

5.  Chas.  W.  Hoffman.  The  Story  of  a  Country  Church. 

P.  36  ff. 

6.  W.  P.  Strickland.  Pioneers  of  the  West.  P.  137  ff. 

7.  The  Gospel  Anchor.  Vol.  I.  P.  367. 

8.  Wm.  A.  Venable.  Beginnings  of  Literary  Culture  in 

the  Ohio  Valley.  P.  205. 

9.  Wm.  C.  Howells.  Recollections  of  Life  in  Ohio  from 

1813  to  1840.  P.  103. 

10.  Chaddock.  Op.  cit.  P.  116  ff. 

11.  Venable.  Op.  cit.  P.  219. 

12.  Howells.  Op.  cit.  P.  119. 

13.  Howells.  Op.  cit.  P.  152. 

14.  J.  M.  Barker.  History  of  Ohio  Methodism.  Pp.  98 

and  100. 

15.  Venable.  Op.  cit.  P.  225. 

16.  Evangelical  Magazine  and  Gospel  Advocate.  Vol.  IV. 

P.  47* 

17.  James  P.  Finley.  Autobiography.  P.  373. 

18.  Finley.  Op.  cit.  P.  257. 

19.  C.  E.  Dickerson.  A  History  of  the  First  Congrega¬ 

tional  Church  of  Marietta,  Ohio.  P.  131. 

20.  Williams  and  Brother.  History  of  Washington 

County.  P.  392. 

See  also  John  F.  Wright,  Life  and  Labors  of  James 
Quinn.  P.  50. 

21.  The  Gospel  Herald.  Vol.  VII.  P.  28. 

22.  Rev.  Andrew  Willson.  Manuscript. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 


263 


23.  Rev.  Anson  Titus.  Manuscript. 

24.  T.  Whittemore.  The  Modern  History  of  Universalism. 

P.  427. 

25.  Whittemore.  Op.  cit.  P.  428. 

26.  Ev.  Mag.  &  Gos.  Adv.  Vol.  II.  P.  170. 

27.  Same.  Vol.  IV.  P.  87. 

28  The  Universalist  Union.  Vol.  XI.  P.  50 7. 

29.  Rev.  J.  H.  Blackford.  Manuscript. 

30.  Whittemore.  Op.  cit.  P.  429. 

31.  Erasmus  Manford.  Twenty-five  Years  in  the  West. 

32.  George  Rogers.  Memoranda. 

33.  The  Gospel  Advocate.  Vol.  V.  Pp.  157,  164,  173. 

34.  The  Gospel  Herald  and  Universalist  Review.  Vol.  I. 

P.  222. 

35.  Ev.  Mag.  &  Gos.  Adv.  Vol.  II.  P.  188. 

36.  Same.  Vol.  IV.  P.  229. 

37.  Same.  Vol.  IV.  P.  362. 

38.  Same.  Vol.  VI.  P.  114. 

39.  The  Universalist  Union.  Vol.  V.  P.  638. 

39a.  John  Parsons.  A  Tour  Through  Indiana  in  1840.  P. 
92  ff. 

40.  The  Universalist  Union.  Vol.  VIII.  Pp.  675,  691. 

41.  Whittemore.  Op.  cit.  P.  441. 

42.  Jonathan  Kidwell.  The  Alpha  and  Omega. 

43.  J.  P.  MacLean.  Shakers  of  Ohio.  Pp.  32,  33,  51. 

44.  The  Gospel  Advocate.  June  28,  1828. 

45.  Maxwell  P.  Gaddis.  Footprints  of  an  Itinerant.  P. 

222  ff. 


264 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 


46.  Finley.  Op.  cit.  P.  no. 

47.  Same.  P.  287. 

48.  Andrew  Carroll.  Moral  and  Religious  Sketches  and 

Collections. 

49.  The  Sentinel  and  Star  in  the  West.  Vol.  III.  P.  330. 

50.  Gaddis.  Op.  cit.  P.  152. 

50*.  Venable.  Op.  cit.  P.  222. 

51.  ‘  Gaddis.  Op.  cit.  P.  21 1. 

52.  Carroll.  Op.  cit.  P.  140. 

53.  Jacob  Young.  Autobiography  of  a  Pioneer.  P.  347. 

54.  See,  for  example,  Nathaniel  S.  Haynes.  History  of 

the  Disciples  of  Christ  in  Illinois.  P.  68  ff.  The 
author  implies  that  the  Disciples  were  usually  vic¬ 
torious  and  that  thus  the  Universalists  grew  weaker. 

55.  Universalist  Union.  Vol.  IX.  P.  262. 

56.  Ev.  Mag.  &  Gos.  Adv.  Vol.  IV.  P.  140. 

57.  Same.  Vol.  IV.  P.  314. 

58.  Same.  Vol.  VI.  P.  364. 

59.  Universalist  Union.  Vol.  VIII.  P.  399. 

60.  Sentinel  and  Star.  Vol.  IV.  P.  25. 

6oa.  Ev.  Mag.  &  Gos.  Adv.  February  25,  1832.  P.  64. 

61.  Rogers.  Op.  cit.  P.  393. 

62.  Ev.  Mag.  &  Gos.  Adv.  Year  1848.  P.  37. 

63.  Wm.  A.  Venable.  A  Buckeye  Boyhood. 

64.  Marietta  Register  Leader.  September  16,  1910.  P.  9. 

65.  Universalist  Union.  Vol.  IX.  P.  570. 

66.  Same.  Vol.  IX.  P.  698. 

67.  Universalist  Magazine.  Vol.  VIIJ.  P.  14. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 


265 


6ya.  W.  W.  Curry.  Unpublished  memoranda  written  for  his 
daughters. 

68.  Edward  A.  Miller.  The  History  of  Educational  Leg¬ 

islation  in  Ohio.  P.  95. 

69.  The  Gospel  Anchor.  Vol.  II.  P.  86. 

70.  Sentinel  and  Star.  Vol.  III.  P.  323. 

7oa.  Parsons.  Op.  cit. 

71.  Miller.  Op.  cit.  P.  160.  See  also  file  of  Universalist 

Register. 

72.  Miller.  Op.  cit.  P.  106. 

72a.  The  Ohio  Universalist.  November,  1913.  P.  6. 

73.  Ev.  Mag.  &  Gos.  Adv.  Vol.  II.  P.  301. 

74.  Universalist  Union.  Vol.  VIII.  P.  678. 

75.  Same.  Vol.  VI.  P.  682. 

76.  Manford’s  Magazine.  Vol.  IX.  P.  185. 

77.  The  Akron  Times.  February  3,  1918,  P.  12. 

78.  Ohio  Church  History,  Vol.  X.  P.  9  ff. 


CHARTS 


CHART  i 

Universalist  Churches  in  Ohio  before  1830 
Also  Four  Areas  Settled  During  this  Period  Largely  by 

New  Englanders 


269 


n&n seven 


JfL  j? 


euecaex 


CAh/*ns&& 


>  «*w.  v 

LOrt&r  SASt&SXY 

•  %cirae  <r  ,e 

c,eeen  arm  mane 

SM**H  ^nJ 


«/*»  A'****" 

6*ee»*'ef  HZ  I  rfsrf,M 

•»^~L  *’«*• 1 - * — 


-y 

r  _  tfZnt'm***  R 

JuOOlt^10  •  ° *nUl  \ 

’  ^  %»£*&  •rteSCPCn'V*  |  ' 

tovisre*>  p/yort  xcritt  pKrJJi 

*oeJ^TA 

4*$**  Jf****.*!** 


5Jf 

«/*»«* 


*SHUBV 


fMflSfU 


tmooiteuff 


r 


•SrtfMr/U£ 


tUSSOfi 


iri  Ten  1 »  ?e#*7£ 
c~*  t,  m  *1  HFrfVU'Lt 

Semite  j  t&eviutL  I 


J 


neofTon 

*  %ea\rruu 
B&wveelt'cZ* 

•  "  w  CASJ7Vy** 

r_  *A*r/c>rYl 

Xfnrv&oyr 

•  *cAsr*r£ 

*eiectAoa 

*,*enf*VBs 

3  wren 


uw/srort/y 

*  nSTfrert  ftfpS&JK  ASM£r  _ 

Q£tXiH/*£  CL, 


freceetotronn 

^t.  verm* 

* COrrron 


%au//*CY 


ndOOSToo; „„. 

,  *ea*n  HJU.  nennAf 

«^M*r  ttryufMyfge**  J 


J*"3?9»  VfWw  f 

M9!«  V,r^y 


tCOSNQC  Ten 

♦rt  c*sust£ 


err- 


flCASM^i 


•  TJK>*AVAU£ 


r&sene/ijje 


AS* f  VALLE 
atuEVAije 


□ 


•n/weqx  t£LLB*w 

rkArusetfi  •  £6rrEfrM.LE 

spy*  •«“">  , 

S'*  *  •  f‘,  ^  «W /=■«£*.• 

J^w  Wreseen  • 

rlUFatn  1/  * 


Lc**  _ 

T"-F2S=. 


CMIUA(OT*£ 


^HWO  r!tfW 

■*  KILL  f(*S  / 

y»*r&,r<VT^  V*;/ 


^<Sv 

■  •tfTtUA 


*£fr*£L 
^rf/GA/ierrt) 
qftporr 


.wiotsA  er 


umoet 

%mj*£  of*'KJ' %pucuvt 
%uxt/sr&eorc 


■^rr/Sj fO,e>5W^ 
)_^v  oecAruf, 

*  £ZaZ&g** 

At*-  ^ 


riUJCBSV/ll£ 


■'fi’c 


10^ 


Approximate  Boundaries  of 
Associations,  1840 

galli*0^  |  j  Richland  4.  Central 

2.  Murray  5.  Miami 

3.  WestemReserve  6.  Washington 


CHART  2 


Churches  in  the  Period  1830-1860 


CHART  3 


Churches  in  the 


Period  1860-1890 — Associations  1870 


273 


CHART  4 

Churches  in  the  Period  1890-1920 


275 


♦ 


